Robert Potts was announced as the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate for Durham and Darlington on Friday afternoon. Since the announcement, Robert has received massive online attention, with many saying he’s the obvious man for the job.
Robert Potts is a Councillor serving on Durham County Council after his election in Evenwood in May 2021, and has been the Conservative Party’s spokesman for police and crime in Durham since January this year.
Prior to entering politics, Robert served as a Durham Police Sergeant, serving in front line operational roles which, he says, gives him “the knowledge, experience, and understanding of what’s needed to get Durham Constabulary back on track”.
Robert Potts commented:
As a retired Durham Police Sergeant, it is an honour to be selected as the Conservative Party's Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner Candidate. Having spent my Police service in wholly front line and operational roles, this has given me a wealth of knowledge and experience, which has been invaluable when challenging the Police and Crime Commissioner as a member of the Police and Crime Panel.
I have been challenging poor decisions made by the current Police and Crime Commissioner since 2021, like the 21 million pound vanity project, known as the Spennymoor Centralised Custody Suite and the sudden increase of staff and her office costs, all of which could have instead paid for numerous more Police Officers on the streets of Durham and Darlington, which is what Durham and Darlington needs right now.
Cllr Richard Bell, Deputy Leader of Durham County Council said:
County Durham and Darlington Conservatives are delighted to select Rob. His experience as a police officer, and as a member of the Police and Crime Panel, holding the PCC to account make him the ideal person to restore the performance of the police to the level our residents need and deserve.
James Peter Middleton, Deputy Chairman of the Conservative Party for Durham and Cleveland said:
I couldn't be more pleased to see Rob selected as the Conservative Party candidate for Durham and Darlington Police and Crime Commissioner.
He is the best person for the job. With a long career in policing behind him, he understands how to keep our streets safe. But he's also a stand-out councillor who can get things done behind the scenes.
Working with Conservative councillors and MPs across County Durham and Darlington, Rob will undo the damage to our communities that Labour have created.
We need change. We need more police on the streets and criminals off them, and I know that Rob is the only person who can deliver this.
You can find out more information about Rob and his campaign at www.robertpotts.co.uk .
