A former police officer and military veteran is standing as the independent candidate for the role of Dorset police and crime commissioner.

Dan Hardy served worldwide with the Grenadier Guards for five years and then worked in the Metropolitan Police for 13 years.

He is currently the managing director of a nationwide security company and launches his political bid today. (TUESDAY)

The election is on May 6. It was postponed last year because of the pandemic.

Mr Hardy who lives in Poole with his wife Claire and their young daughter, said: "I have considerable crime and security experience and I believe it is vital for a police and crime commissioner to have that background to be effective.

"A PCC needs to be able to represent the views of all Dorset residents, not just those of one political party and that's why I am standing as an independent".

Mr Hardy says his priorities are safer communities, more visible policing, reducing crime and the fear of crime, supporting victims and reducing reoffending.

He added: "There are many challenges and some have been heightened by the pandemic.

"Policing is complex. I want to target anti social behaviour and violent crime, but there must also be a relentless focus on tackling domestic violence and drug and alcohol-related offending."

The role of the police and crime commissioner is to represent the residents, hold the chief constable to account, set policing and crime objectives and to secure an efficient and effective force.

The chief constable is in operational charge of the force - something the PCC cannot interfere with.

Martyn Underhill will step down after nine years in May as Dorset's current PCC and is backing Mr Hardy.

He said: "I have always maintained the importance of independence in policing. I see Conservative PCCs increasingly willing to toe the national line, rather than forging a local one that is best for that area.

"Dan's background says it all as a military veteran, a former police officer and the managing director of a successful company.

"I know he will not allow party politics to overrun Dorset Police, he leads on his policies and agenda rather than following the mantra of national political parties."

Mr Hardy has already had a number of meetings with Dorset's chief constable James Vaughan to talk about policing priorities and funding.

When he served in the Metropolitan Police, Mr Hardy worked in a range of roles including neighbourhood policing, public order, firearms, covert policing, custody and investigations.