This week in the Gazette’s general election feature, we ask the main contenders in South Basildon and East Thurrock for their views on a hot topic.

Ian Luder, Ukip candidate

THIS Government has slashed funding. The effect has been hugely damaging.

In Essex, a quarter of the police dogs have been retired, one firearms officer in three has gone, and almost two road police in five have disappeared.

Is it any wonder that people feel less safe? With our street lights off at night, it is no surprise that burglaries in Basildon are up more than 11 per cent since the lights went out. Madness!

A total of 21 police stations closed, with a further 600 officers set to be gone by 2017, despite the police council tax precept set to rise this year.

This cannot go on. If elected, I will fight to retain an Essex police force that is fit for purpose.

People pay taxes and expect in return to live in a community that feels safe.

It is a basic right that I will always champion.

Mike Le-Surf, Labour candidate

I HAVE heard many times that a lack of visible policing on our streets and the disgraceful Conservative council policy to turn off our street lights between midnight and 5am have left people feeling vulnerable.

The Conservative police and crime commissioner continues to state crime is going down because it says so on his statistics sheet.

This is not the reality for most residentsImeet.

I was delighted to welcome shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to Basildon recently to hear residents’ concerns.

The next Labour Government will scrap the ridiculous police and crime commissioner role and spend savings on visible policing.

As MP, I will work tirelessly to make sure the Conservative-run county council knows Essex residents want their street lights back on.

Stephen Metcalfe, Conservative MP

I AM proud of what Essex police have achieved, despite the lower funding.

Through better deployment and more targeted use of what resources they have, they have managed to drive crime down.

We are freeing the police to fight crime by cutting red tape and scrapping unnecessary targets. We are giving criminals tougher sentences so communities are protected and justice is done and we are giving the police the powers they need to tackle criminals.

We are also stopping people from becoming criminals by tackling the root causes of crime.

What we have to do now is not only continue to tackle crime, but also the perception of crime. If reelected I will continue to roll out more Safer Street Zones and also continue to push the county council to turn our lights back on.

Kerry Smith, Independent candidate

THE real issue is the negligence of the Crown Prosecution Service and its constant failure to lock up criminals and throw away the keys.

I would push for extra prisons and free the police from the fear of political correctness. When I called for the police to turn up after travellers illegally occupied a car park, the police didn’t attend.

This is the norm when people call the police regarding travellers. In my opinion, the law applies equally to everyone and political correctness perverts the course of justice.

If someone injures or kills a burglar in their home, give them a medal instead of seeing the dogooders race to the defence of the criminal. As MP, I would push for a law to ban part night lighting. I support capital punishment for convicted paedophiles and also terrorists whomaim or murder.