Keith Tordoff MBE for PFCC

Описание: The owner of the Oldest Sweet Shop in England is preparing to give up his treasured business to take on one of the most important jobs in North Yorkshire.

Keith Tordoff MBE, who has run the world-famous shop in Pateley Bridge for more than 20 years, is standing as an independent candidate in the forthcoming elections for the next Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

The person who holds this position is responsible for overseeing how crime and community safety are tackled, providing services for victims of crime and ensuring that the county’s fire and rescue service is efficient and effective.

Keith said: “I feel very passionately that North Yorkshire’s communities should be protected by properly funded and well-equipped police and fire services. At the moment, both services are under-staffed and under-resourced, and I am absolutely determined to change that.

“North Yorkshire Police needs more officers to help it tackle serious issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug dealing and drink and drug-driving. North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service desperately needs more retained firefighters to respond to emergencies in all corners of the county at any time of the day and night.”

Keith has personal experience of policing, having served as an officer in Leeds for 20 years.

After joining the police cadets in 1973, he was appointed a constable in 1975 and later worked in the task force, Vice Squad, Special Branch and CID.

Keith qualified as a sergeant and inspector, was firearms-trained and worked on several major investigations, including the Yorkshire Ripper murders.

He received commendations from the Chief Constable and Crown Courts, as well as a meritorious National Life Saving Award.

Keith was awarded an exemplary service certificate on leaving West Yorkshire Police.

He went on to work for the Bank of Scotland, which later became Halifax Bank of Scotland and then Lloyds Bank, where he carried out investigations in the North of England for 10 years.

Since then, alongside running the sweet shop, Keith has worked tirelessly to support the business community and served as chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade from 1998 to 2002 and 2014 to present.

He led a campaign to help Pateley Bridge win the title of Best High Street in the Great British High Street Awards in 2016.

Keith has also chaired the Pateley Bridge in Bloom group which won the title of Best Village in the 2018 Yorkshire in Bloom competition and also this year’s Britain in Bloom contest.

He is a keen supporter of local charities, including Yorkshire Air Ambulance and Dementia Forward, of which he is a patron.

For his services to the community, Keith was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June 2018.

As he prepares for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections, Keith added: “I firmly believe that this important role should be an independent one which isn’t ruled by politics. In the last few months, we have seen far too often how personalities get in the way of improving public services.

“Anyone who votes for me can be rest assured that I will get things done for the benefit of our communities, rather than looking after my own interests. The fact that I am willing to leave the sweet shop shows just how seriously I mean business.”

Keith has been married to Gloria for 36 years and they have one son, Alexander, who works in the family business and is also a retained firefighter.

For more information and to request interviews, please contact Keith Tordoff on 07552 769000