The Liberal Democrat Police and Crime Commissioner candidate has released his manifesto.

Changing how rapes and sexual assaults are dealt with and increasing on foot and bike patrols are among the 22-page manifesto released by candidate Sam North.

Mr North says there has been a 10 per cent crime – not including cybercrime – since current Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd took charge.

He claims that police should be equipped to build an understanding of what causes people to commit crime and intervening at the earliest possible stage.

The manifesto notes a budget of £240m, compared to the current £229.9m budget, which Mr North claims would come into effect with no council tax increase required.

To reduce crime, key propositions include a fund in supporting charities diverting youths from crime, changing how sexual assaults are dealt with and police no longer enforcing possession of cannabis - unless they are driving or causing a nuisance – and instead focus on drug dealers.

He also proposes to reduce plans for a new policing headquarters and instead plan them in conjunction with other organisations as a joint development.

Greater emphasis would be put to drug dealers, disrupting gang activity and creating an Anti-social Behaviour working group with council partners.

Mr North stated he would invest more in armed policing when dealing with firearm and knife crimes, and there would be better collaboration with surrounding police services to tackle county lines drug dealing.

However, he also wishes to lobby the Home Office for a legalised and regulated cannabis market.

For roads policing, there is a pledge to increase road safety not covered elsewhere, ensure every police vehicle has a speed gun and drug / alcohol testing kits and increasing roads policing trained officers and staff in the camera ticket and collisions team.

Mr North says he will increase “investigative capability” for road incidents and create a voluntary retesting and driving assessment scheme.

Rural policing is pledged to have more investigative resources, particularly for high risk crimes, and there will be a single point of contact to co-ordinate flytipping crimes.

There will also be a RuralLink radio network for farms to gain access to police, and police will be equipped with off-road motorbikes.

Environmentally, Mr North says he would ensure all police vehicles are Ultra-low emission vehicles by 2026 and police stations use green electricity sources including solar panels.

The force will also switch to digital technology and reduce paper use and non-frontline employees can have more flexibility to work from home.

Other key factors listed in the manifesto include frontline officers attending use of force training four times a year, and other regular training services.

There a series of measures suggested to boost mental health and general support for officers, including three full-paid personal days off in addition to current annual leave.

Equality also appears to be a big factor in the manifesto, as he suggests setting up a women’s forum for female officers and staff, creating a ‘safe space’ scheme and pushing consent education in schools and universities.

Likewise there is also a racial equality push by taking in recommendations of the Macpherson Review and Lammy Review, pushing culture and religion training to officers, and ensuring black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) representation.

Further manifesto reports of the Conservative and Labours candidates will be published in due course.