It was pleasing to see The Press commit a full double page spread to the upcoming election to the very important role within North Yorkshire of the police, fire and crime commissioner (Choosing a new police and fire chief, April 23).

Hopefully more of the electorate will take notice and vote on the May 6.

Surely policing and the fire service are crucial to local people; we all have an opinion on the former whilst we rely heavily on the latter in an emergency.

The position of commissioner, albeit fairly new, does involve fighting for better representation and higher funding for these services with local and national governments.

And for the first time there is an independent candidate who is not shackled by party politics; policing particularly should be above politics.

Martin Crudge, Dodsworth Avenue, York

Thanks for article on police/fire candidates

Thank you for your article about choosing a new police and fire chief (The Press, April 23).

Instead of the numerous leaflets we usually get through the door before an election, this article gave me all the information I needed to know about each candidate, in three short paragraphs, to enable me to make a decision!

Jean Weston, Lycett Road, York