Voters in the Dyfed Powys Police force area will be going to the polls next Thursday (November 15) in the first ever police and crime commissioner election.

In England and Wales, 41 police force areas will be electing commissioners.

As there are only two candidates in Dyfed Powys - Christine Gwyther who is standing as the Labour Party candidate, and Christopher Salmon, who is the Conservative Party candidate - the police and crime commissioner for the area will be elected using the 'first past the post system' which is used at UK Parliamentary Elections.

Voters will be asked to mark one cross by the name of the candidate they want to win.

In Pembrokeshire, 115 polling stations will be open from 7 am to 10 pm on polling day.

Voting will also be taking place in the three other local authority areas - Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Powys - which comprise the Dyfed Powys Police force area.

Votes will be counted on Friday (November 16) at four centres: Llanelli, Aberaeron, Llandrindod Wells and Fishguard.

After each centre has completed its count, the results will be forwarded to Fishguard - which will also act as the police area count centre - where the overall result will be declared.

Out of an electorate in Pembrokeshire of 93,178, around 16,000 residents have requested a postal vote.

These must be returned to the local returning officer as soon as possible, but no later than 10 pm on polling day, otherwise they will not be counted.

Mr. Bryn Parry-Jones, the police area returning officer for Dyfed Powys, said: "In less than a week, voters will have the chance to elect their police and crime commissioner.

"I encourage voters to check in advance where their polling station is and plan what time they intend to cast their vote. For those voting by post, it's important to fill in your ballot paper privately and return it as soon as possible."

Kay Jenkins, head of the Electoral Commission's Wales Office, said: "Every household should have received our booklet with information on what a police and crime commissioner's role involves, and how to complete the ballot paper.

"There is more information on our website, http://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk">www.aboutmyvote.co.uk , or you can call our helpline on 0800 3 280 280."

The Electoral Commission's booklet was sent to 1.4 million households across Wales in late October.

Information on both candidates is available from the website http://www.choosemypcc.org.uk">www.choosemypcc.org.uk

To receive this printed information by post, 'phone 0800 1070708.

The Electoral Commission Helpline number is 0800 3280280.

Christine Gwyther - election statement

Born and brought up in Dyfed Powys, Christine has represented West Wales in the Welsh Assembly, and been a government minister. She believes she has the right experience to handle the job and a track record in getting things done.

With a background in economic development, she has worked with business throughout Wales and now works in front line community development, speaking up for families and for local communities, to make things better in their everyday lives.

Massive 20 per cent cuts to policing budgets mean that Dyfed Powys police force will lose 64 officers this year, with more losses to come. Such large cuts could seriously compromise their ability to police our communities effectively.

"Our police and our communities deserve our respect," stated Christine and, if elected, she says she will:

• lead the fight against police cuts;

• ensure victims of crime get the support they need;

• show police officers and staff the respect they deserve: after all, they risk their lives every day to keep the rest of us safe;

• prioritise visible, community policing;

• get senior managers regularly out of their offices and onto the beat - and that includes herself;

• be open, honest and accountable to the public.

"Dyfed Powys is massive and we need to ensure local voices are heard and listened to properly. That will be a big part of the job.

"We already are suffering the disappointment of losing our front desk services at Fishguard, Milford and Tenby and I will work with the council to make things run more smoothly in terms of access.

"This election is important, and I do hope everyone votes. Both candidates are party political, which is strange for an area with a strong tradition for independent councillors. I will work with everyone - all parties and no parties - to get the best deal for local people."

Christopher Salmon - election statement

In Dyfed Powys, we have a great opportunity to make an already fantastic police force even better. I grew up in Powys with three sisters on a family farm near Presteigne. I served in the Army in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq, which taught me about leadership and making decisions in difficult circumstances.

But, above all, farming and military service teaches good, practical, common sense. I want common sense policing in Dyfed Powys to cut crime and make our families safer. Common sense policing that allows policemen and women to use their judgement. Common sense policing that tackles the kind of crime that makes people's lives miserable.

We need police on the beat where crime is happening. So, I will prioritise police time patrolling our most crime-hit areas. I will conduct regular surgeries across Dyfed Powys, from Welshpool to Milford Haven. And, to ensure our police have the resources they need, I will fight to ensure we keep full police helicopter coverage of Dyfed Powys.

We need to protect victims, so I will set police clear objectives to tackle all crime, particularly antisocial behaviour, intimidation and violence. I will support the police's professional judgement and cut unnecessary targets. To enhance police authority and public respect, I will drive high professional standards and improve transparency in their complaint and discipline procedures.

I will ensure we spend money wisely. We can make money go further by cutting bureaucracy and focusing on key priorities. We must make the most of skills across our communities to prevent crime and cut the cost of fighting it.

That way, we can ensure that Dyfed Powys becomes the best rural police force in the country.