The six candidates vying to become Kent’s first police commissioner went head to head at a lively hustings event in Gillingham last night (Tuesday).

Craig Mackinlay (Conservative), Harriet Yeo (Labour), Ann Barnes (Independent), Dai Liyanage (Independent), Steve Uncles (English Democrats) and Piers Wauchope (UK Independence Party) tackled a number of issues at MidKent College’s campus in Medway Road.

These included drugs, support for victims, racism, relations with the chief constable and the £85,000 salary on offer for whoever wins the election on November 15.

The police commissioner’s job will be to oversee Kent Police, holding it to account and setting its budget and priorities.

There have been warnings that the public have so far failed to be engaged by the election and that there will be a record low turnout on polling day.

There was little evidence of apathy at the debate, which was attended by more than 100 people.

The candidates were challenged by members of the audience on numerous occasions, barracked for some of their answers and applauded for others.

The event was hosted by Medway Citizens Advice Bureau and supported by the Medway Messenger, whose editor Bob Bounds chaired the debate.

For more on the debate, see Friday’s Medway Messenger.