New PCC Mark Shelford
- Credit: Submitted
Avon and Somerset’s new police and crime commissioner has promised to “shout and scream” for more funding for the force and has already spoken to the Home Secretary.
Conservative candidate Mark Shelford received 34.4 per cent of first preference votes and was elected after second preference votes were counted, beating Labour’s Kerry Barker.
He is only the area’s second PCC, filling the shoes of independent Sue Mountstevens, who stepped down after nine years in the role.
The PCC sets the strategic direction for the force and one of Mr Shelford’s first tasks will be to appoint a new chief constable after Andy Marsh announced he would leave in July for a new challenge.
Mark Shelford and chief constable Andy Marsh.
- Credit: Stephen Sumner
The Conservative’s ex-soldier candidate has been named as Avon and Somerset’s second police and crime commissioner.
Mark Shelford made election pledges to “reassure, refocus and rebuild” and prioritise preventing crime, not just trying to catch criminals.
He received 161,319 votes in the May 6 election, some 15,000 ahead of Labour’s Kerry Barker, on 146,293.
Green candidate Cleo Lake finished in third place with 64,790 votes, 52,839 backed Liberal Democrat Heather Shearer and John Smith, the independent, won 46,379.
With the election postponed from 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Mr Shelford will only serve for a three-year term.
THE Conservative candidate has become the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Mark Shelford, who was an army officer for 30 years, was elected as PCC with 161,319 votes. A huge responsibility has been placed on my shoulders and I am very humbled that local people have given me their votes, said Mr Shelford. I absolutely relish the chance to get stuck in and make a difference in Avon and Somerset. Mr Shelford was former deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council. Before the election, he said his main goal would be to prevent crime before it happens .
THE Conservative candidate has become the new Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset. Mark Shelford, who was an army officer for 30 years, was elected as PCC yesterday (May 7) with 161,319 votes. A huge responsibility has been placed on my shoulders and I am very humbled that local people have given me their votes, said Mr Shelford. I absolutely relish the chance to get stuck in and make a difference in Avon and Somerset. Mr Shelford was former deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council. Before the election, he said his main goal would be to prevent crime before it happens .