INDEPENDENT police commissioner candidate Farooq Mohammed tossed a potential election winning ‘grenade’ into the poll tonight by agreeing to donate two years salary to help children in deprived areas.

“Free breakfast for primary school children in deprived areas will be one of my first initiatives if elected,” said Farooq Mohammed, a married father of four and successful Peterborough businessman and restaurateur.

“Based on a successful concept operating in other parts of the country, the aim

of the new breakfast club will be to reduce truancy, improve behaviour and create a better learning environment in the classroom.”

Mr Mohammed, who is standing as an independent candidate in the elections next week for Cambridgeshire police and crime commissioner, said: “Providing hungry children with a nourishing start to the day will improve attendance, attentiveness and attainment helping to set them on the right path from an

early age.

“We know that low-level anti-social behaviour by very young children can lead to more serious criminal activity later.

“Anti-social behaviour is one of the key concerns raised by people during my campaign and I believe that offering practical support and encouragement

in this way will pay dividends in terms of crime prevention.”

He said the project would be funded by the commissioner’s �70,000 a year salary.

“I have decided to take no salary for the first two years of the post – instead I will use the money to fund the breakfast club and other community projects,” he said.

He said his decision reflects his commitment to social cohesion; his other principles are transparency, independence and public engagement.