A MOTHER-of-two has vowed to tackle domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation if elected the next police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley.

Laetisia Carter, Labour party candidate for the upcoming vote on May 5, said tackling serious crimes on the rise would be her main priority.

The 34-year-old also pledged to crack down on cybercrime – which she said often went "unreported" – and develop a digital way of reporting crimes.

Mrs Carter, who lives in Chipping Norton, said she felt having a PCC from an opposition party would create a "stronger voice for change".

She added: "There is nobody like me standing and nobody with my background.

"I have worked for two major organisations – Thames Valley Police and the NHS – and this role would be very similar to the NHS role, in which I commission projects that improve mental health services.

"I think you need to look beyond politics and focus on the job. I want to tackle the serious hidden crimes, which are on the increase. Domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation are massive issues and they need more investment."

Born in the John Radcliffe hospital, Mrs Carter grew up with her family in Leafield near Witney.

She attended Burford Secondary school before studying at Liverpool University.

Now a district councillor for West Oxfordshire, she lives in Chipping Norton with her husband, son and daughter.

Mrs Carter currently works for the NHS, where her role is to commission projects that improve mental health services.

Prior to that she was a community liaison officer with Thames Valley Police, which involved her advising senior officers on community policing.

The mother-of-two then delivered a national programme to improve engagement throughout the Thames Valley.

She hopes that if elected, she can help reduce the stigma over mental health issues.

Another pledge was to increase accountability and reduce bureaucracy by "robustly challenging" the cuts to front line policing that "threaten and undermine our safety".

One of her goals is to boost the profile of the position.

Mrs Carter said: "I think engagement with the public is very important.

"My main role is to listen to the people and to get their voice across.

"I would want to make the position more accountable and easier for people to communicate with.

"I have already spoken to hundreds of people and want to speak to more – you have to represent your community.

"I want to be held accountable. I don't want to be a PCC that isn't visible."

She would introduce the digital reporting of crime to "modernise" policing.

Mrs Carter is one of four candidates hoping to win.

Her competition includes Conservative candidate and current PCC Anthony Stansfeld, John Howson representing the Liberal Democrats, and Lea Trainer running for the UK Independence Party.