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Tory hopeful Shaun Bailey’s bid to become Mayor of London was boosted today by the backing of four police chiefs who support his plan to curb gang violence.

The former youth worker was endorsed by the elected Police and Crime Commissioners of Essex, Kent, Hertfordshire and Thames Valley, who said he had the experience and background to reduce crime, including drug-running to counties outside London.

Anthony Stansfeld, commissioner for Thames Valley Police, said: “What happens in London is mirrored in the surrounding police forces, and it is critical to the Thames Valley that policing is well run in London. I am confident that Shaun is the person to do that.”

David Lloyd, commissioner for Hertfordshire, said: “London needs a mayor who understands what’s causing this crime epidemic. Shaun Bailey has worked in some of the most poverty and crime-ridden communities across London, dealing with gangs and turning kids away from a life of crime and back on to the straight and narrow. 

“Tackling this crime wave isn’t easy, but we need someone who actually understands the root causes of crime. That man is Shaun Bailey. At the moment we have a mayor in Sadiq Khan who seems clueless about what to do.”

London Assembly member Mr Bailey has put crime-fighting at the centre of his bid to be picked as Conservative candidate to stand against Mr Khan in 2020. Matt Scott, commissioner for Kent, said: “His willingness to reach out to PCCs and work with us means that we will be able to do more to tackle county lines [drugs], and the violence and exploitation emanating out of London into our counties.”

Roger Hirst, commissioner for Essex, said that Mr Bailey would be “a mayor that gets the heartbeat of the city and understands what makes it tick” because of his experience working with young people.

Mr Bailey is up against fellow Assembly member Andrew Boff and west London councillor Joy Morrissey. Voting by Tory members takes place this month.

Crime is up four per cent since the 2016 mayoral elections, with violent crime up five per cent. Mr Khan partly blames the rises on Government cuts to police numbers.