The Norfolk sub-postmaster was named the Norfolk Liberal Democrat candidate for police and crime commissioner last month.

James Joyce, a Norfolk County councillor for Reepham Division and a Broadland District councillor for Eynesford ward, stepped down from the Norfolk Police Authority after seven years to contest his campaign ahead of this month's election.

Mr Joyce, who runs a village post office and shop in Broadland and is the current president of the Norwich branch of the National Federation of Sub-postmasters, has pledged to work hard to protect 'your home and family' if elected and wanted to bring people and the police closer together to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour.

He believes in making Norfolk's police fully responsive to local needs with key priorities including:

Cutting bureaucracy to help the police to spend more time out on the streets;

Targeting more resources on rape and domestic violence;

Developing community policing with new powers for communities to tackle anti-social behaviour;

Toughening up community sentencing;

Better support for the victims of crime and the expansion of restorative justice;

Closer co-operation between the police and other key local agencies, particularly health and social services.

In his election statement, Mr Joyce said: 'Like all public bodies, the police are under financial pressure. Driving out inefficiency is, and has to remain, a key objective. Back-room savings must continue to be turned into front-line visibility.

'I believe my seven year's work as a member of the Police Authority has been an ideal preparation for taking on the challenging new position of Commissioner.'

Log onto www.norfolk.libdems.org to find out more.

Tomorrow: Norfolk's Independent police and crime commissioner candidate Stephen Bett