THE Welsh Conservatives have selected the chair of North Wales Police and Crime Panel as their candidate in the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Patricia Astbury, who was born in Caernarfon but has lived most of her life in Ruthin, is also the panel member champion for Modern Day Slavery and Child Exploitation.

Ms Astbury said: "I have a first-hand understanding of the diverse areas and needs that are prevalent across the region – from the industrial areas of North East Wales to rural Gwynedd. If elected, I would make sure the public has the chance to raise their concerns through well publicised meetings and surgeries. I will listen to what people have to say and take action.”

Rural crime, county lines drug gangs, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation are areas of real concern for Ms Astbury, who is a Welsh speaker.

She said: “County lines is a particular problem along the A55 – with huge implications for education (excluded pupils), social services, health, the police – not to mention damage to families and the community.

"There would be no laissez-faire attitude to issues such as drugs."

Ms Astbury said although there has been an increase in numbers deployed to the rural crime team in North Wales, it is important that PCSOs are regularly seen in these areas.

She added: “I would continue to press for more visible policing whilst fully understanding the need for the less visible – for example, there is a need for an increase in staff who can combat fraud and other online criminality.

“Nothing gives more reassurance than the sight of a uniformed member of the police.”

Ms Astbury is a former Ruthin town councillor and mayor and has a background in education.

She is a school governor of a primary and a secondary school.

Ms Astbury enjoys reading, gardening and travel. She has arranged many primary school mock trials on issues such as hate crimes, traffic offences and shoplifting.

She also arranged a conference on modern day slavery which was held in Ruthin.

North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Arfon Jones revealed earlier this year that he is standing down at the next election.

Mr Jones is the region’s second ever police and crime commissioner and has been PCC since 2016.

The next election had originally been due to take place last May but the vote was put back a year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.