Mark Grosvenor McNeill Shelford (born November 1961[3]) is a British Conservative politician and former lieutenant colonel in the British Army, who served as the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner from 2021 until 2024.
Mark Shelford | |
|---|---|
| Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner | |
| In office 13 May 2021 – 8 May 2024 | |
| Preceded by | Sue Mountstevens |
| Succeeded by | Clare Moody |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 1961 (age 62) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Website | www |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Branch/service |  British Army |
| Years of service | 1981–2013[1] |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards[2] |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War Northern Ireland Afghanistan |
Biography edit
Shelford served in the British Army between 1981 and 2013, eventually retiring at the rank of lieutenant colonel.[1] This included service in the Gulf War as the aide-de-camp to Brigadier Patrick Cordingley.[2]
Shelford was elected to Bath and North East Somerset Council for the Lyncombe ward in the 2015 election.[4] He held this position until 2019, where he was defeated by the Liberal Democrat candidate.[5] He is also a member of the Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel, and the Avon Fire Authority.[1]
Police and Crime Commissioner edit
Shelford was elected on the second round of voting in the 2021 PCC election.[6]
In 2022, along with other South West PCCs, Shelford announced that police on the region would crack down on dealers and users of recreational drugs. [7] Some experts criticised the PCC’s calls to reclassify cannabis from Class B to Class A. [8]
In 2023, Avon and Somerset Chief Constable, Sarah Crew, claimed that the force had institutional racism. Shelford endorsed her claims and said he supported her leadership.[9]
Shelford supported the chief constable in enabling the Channel 4 series To Catch a Copper to have behind-the-scenes access at the police Counter-Corruption Unit.[10][11] Some members of the Avon and Somerset Police Federation said they felt "utterly betrayed" and "unsupported" by this decision and the resultant program.[12]
Shelford supported the re-establishment of local police stations in the area, which had been cut during budget cuts in the 2010s,[13] such as in Bath.[14][15]
Shelford stood in the 2024 PCC election, but was defeated for re-election by the Labour party.[16]
References edit
- ^ a b c "Mark Shelford selected as Conservative PCC candidate". The Midsomer Norton, Radstock & District Journal. 21 February 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Desert Storm Part 12". 4 December 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2021.
- ^ "Mark Grosvenor Mcnei". Companies House. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
- ^ "Lyncombe". Bath and North East Somerset Council. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
- ^ Sumner, Stephen (3 May 2019). "Lib Dems seize control from Tories in bath and North East Somerset". BristolLive. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "Elections 2021: Mark Shelford elected as Avon and Somerset's PCC". BBC News. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
- ^ "South West police crackdown on drug use in night-time economy". BBC News. 26 October 2022. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "Experts criticise PCCs' call to re-classify cannabis". BBC News. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ "PCC Mark Shelford has endorsed the claim that Avon and Somerset Police is racist". West Somerset Free Press. 5 July 2023. Retrieved 24 September 2023.
- ^ Yhnell, Rhiannon; Ellis, Scott (27 January 2024). "Avon and Somerset PCC: 'It's not possible' to stop gross misconduct". BBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Seale, Jack (29 January 2024). "To Catch a Copper review – a shocking, disgusting real-life Line of Duty". The Guardian. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ Harcombe, Chloe (7 February 2024). "Avon and Somerset Police staff 'betrayed' by Channel 4 documentary". BBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Avon and Somerset Police to close 12 police stations". BBC News. 28 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2024.
- ^ Harcombe, Chloe (4 January 2024). "Avon and Somerset Police announce new station in Bath". BBC News. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Bath's new Police HQ". Bath Newseum. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Conservatives lose Avon and Somerset PCC to Labour". BBC News. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 3 May 2024.