Stepping into Gurvinder Sandher’s office for the first time, it is not exactly a hub of election activity.

Despite declaring his ambition to become Kent’s next police and crime commissioner, it is very much business as usual for the equalities campaigner.

As chief executive of the Kent Equality Cohesion Council, he remains committed to the events he has in the pipeline for Dartford and Gravesham over the next few months.

Don’t think an election is going to stand in his way of making sure you get your St George’s parade this year.

“I know I have stressed it, but I am not a politician,” he said. “Currently I am working not just here in Gravesham, but I am also planning events in Dartford, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells, and Tonbridge and Malling. That kind of work – I can’t just drop it.”

Indeed, despite locals going to the polls to choose Ann Barnes’ successor in just six weeks’ time, Mr Sandher is not about to let his community role suffer. He sees his work in the community as the best string to his bow, and it’s a word that crops up repeatedly throughout our interview.

He said: “We already work at the heart of our communities and so there is that track record of delivery that is already there.

“I also have said before that I am standing as a genuine independent, there’s no party machine behind me – what you see here, this is it. The campaign will succeed or fail on the level of support I get from members of the public and the community.

“Hopefully over the coming days and weeks we are able to recruit volunteers who understand what we are trying to do, so it becomes a community-led campaign. That is the only way an independent can build that kind of traction up.”

"I work in the community, I work with the community, and with the support of the community, I can win.” - Gurvinder Sandher.

Born in Gravesend, where he lived for 38 years, and now bringing up a family in Dartford, there can be no doubting his affection for Kent.

Besides a three-year stint at university in Coventry and an undying affection for Everton Football Club, Mr Sandher is Kent through and through. He says it is this commitment to the county, rather than the prospect of a burgeoning career in politics, that attracts him to the role.

He said: “The role of the crime commissioner is really important and it should not just be a gift to party politicians.

“They might be the best people in the world, but once you’re with a party you have a defined ideology, there’s hierarchies within party structures and you have links to Westminster.

"What I’m saying is that I am standing as a representative from the community. I work in the community, I work with the community, and with the support of the community, I can win.”

Although he is certainly confident he has the skills to perform well in the role, do not mistake it for arrogance.

"My style of work is not about promoting brand Gurvinder Sandher, my view of the job would be about going out and understanding what’s going on and getting things done."

If there is one other thing to stand out from our interview besides the focus on community, it is a sense of humility. He said: “This isn’t a career move for me – I’m not thinking I’ve been a councillor, now I’ll be a commissioner and then I’ll be an MP.

“The fact I have never stood for public office will hopefully underline to people that this isn’t the next career move, I really enjoy what I do and am really busy with what I do – I’m just taking a leap of faith.

“I need as much help and support as I can because it is not just about having a set of policies; you have to get the message out, and that’s where I need the volunteers to help and support me.”

Of course, you do still need policies to be a viable candidate. For Mr Sandher, the priorities are investment in training and technology, working with other local authorities and engaging with young people through the introduction of a volunteer cadet force.

He said: “In Kent we have to be looking at ways to engage with young people, so police cadets is something we should be looking at. I’ve got two boys, my oldest is 10, and when kids get to the age of 13 and 14 it’s important for them to build up networks and friendships outside a school environment.

"There could be long-term benefits there in terms of future police officers, and I think there’s an opportunity there we could be looking at.”

He also wants more officers on the streets, better use of gadgets like body-worn cameras, and a crackdown on child sexual exploitation, domestic abuse and anti-social behaviour.

"Different parts of Kent have different challenges – the issues in Dartford are going to be different to the issues in Dover – so it is about finding local solutions for local issues.”

“Kent Police serve a population of 1.8 million. It’s increased just over 10% in the past 10 years, they cover some 1,400 sq miles, so there’s some big challenges for them,” he said.

“That is why it is important that we work with local authorities, the charity sector and people like that. Different parts of Kent have different challenges – the issues in Dartford are going to be different to the issues in Dover – so it is about finding local solutions for local issues.”

As well as relying on those local authorities, Mr Sandher said: “I believe that a commissioner’s role is to be out and about, understanding what the issues of concern are, and then going back to the Chief Constable and holding them to account.

"My style of work is not about promoting brand Gurvinder Sandher, my view of the job would be about going out and understanding what’s going on and getting things done.

“You will not see me going out waving a flag every time I’ve had a meeting with the council, I want to be out there and understanding what’s going on and what can be done. Our work is about bringing communities together and taking pride in it.

“With my track record and experience of working in Kent, I feel that I am the right person.”

If you feel the same way, make sure you place your vote at the election on May 5.

You can find out more about Gavinder Sandher’s campaign at sandherforpcc.org,
facebook.com/sandherforpcc, or on Twitter @sandherforpcc.