LABOUR’S Clare Moody has been elected as Avon and Somerset’s new Police and Crime Commissioner, narrowly defeating Conservative Mark Shelford.
Just over 300,000 people across the region voted on May 2 in the election to choose the person who will set the direction of policing and hold the chief constable to account for the next four years.
Ms Moody received 95,982 votes, 4,976 ahead of incumbent Mr Shelford, who had 91,006.
The Greens’ Katy Grant was third with 64,623 and Liberal Democrat Benet Allen was fourth, 45,864. For the first time since the post was created in 2012, no independent candidate stood in the election.
Speaking at the declaration, Ms Moody said: “The priorities that I have are those that I campaigned on, about neighbourhood policing, around reducing violent crime, particularly knife crime and violence against women and children. And also building crime prevention that saves people from having to suffer from crime in the first place.”
Mr Shelford did not speak at the count but later sent a message thanking supporters, and wishing Ms Moody “every success”.
In South Gloucestershire, Mr Shelford received 17,528 votes to Ms Moody’s 15,192, with Ms Grant in third on 6,283 and Mr Allen fourth on 5,678.
The only other election in South Gloucestershire was a by-election in the New Cheltenham ward, which includes the Siston Hill estate near Mangotsfield, called after Labour councillor Sandie Davis resigned for health reasons in March.
Labour’s Angela Morey retained the seat with 666 votes, a majority of 248 over Conservative Kelly Cole, who had 418, with Green AJ Coakham receiving 189 votes and Lib Dem James Corrigan 109. The turnout was just under 21%.
Cllr Morey said: “I am grateful for the support I received in New Cheltenham during my campaign and thank residents for trusting me for their votes.
“I commit to listening to residents’ needs and concerns for their area and will endeavour to support my Labour team in delivering their Labour manifesto promises from the 2023 election, and following the South Gloucestershire’s Council plan to ensure we work together to make where we live a fairer and greener place for all of our futures.”
Labour group leader Ian Boulton said: “Sandie has been a much-respected member of the Labour group of councillors at South Gloucestershire and we thank her for her years of service to the people of Kingswood. We send her much love as she manages her ongoing health issues.
“We now welcome Angela into the Labour Group. Angela’s energy and enthusiasm was evident during her by-election campaign and I know she will be a formidable champion for the residents of New Cheltenham.”
South Gloucestershire Council is investigating four complaints from electors that postal votes did not arrive in time.