The candidates for Kent’s first police commissioner will be facing questions from the public at a hustings event tonight.

The debate is being hosted by Medway CAB and supported by the Medway Messenger. It will take place at MidKent College’s campus in Medway Road, Gillingham, from 7pm.

All candidates have been invited and are expected to attend. The debate will focus on a range of issues but with the accent being on Medway.

The venue can hold 240 people and entry will be on a first come, first served basis.

Organisers hope it will help people get engaged in a campaign that some have predicted will be blighted by apathy ahead of the vote on November 15.

Dan McDonald, chief executive of Medway CAB, said: “The PCC elections are really important for community safety in Medway but they haven’t yet captured the imagination of the public.

“The role of police commissioner will be a very powerful and influential position, so it is vital that we hold a local hustings event to raise awareness of the election.

“Residents need to be given the opportunity to see what each of the candidates has to offer and make their views heard on the future of policing in Medway.”