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.
Conservative candidate Mark Shelford has been elected as Avon and Somerset’s new police and crime commissioner.
He received 34.4% of first preference votes and was elected after second preference votes were counted, beating Labour’s Kerry Barker.
Mr Shelford is a former Army officer and deputy leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council.
He replaces Sue Mountstevens, who served as PCC from 2012 before standing down before the election.
Mark says: “It’s very, very exciting but it’s also quite humbling and there’s a huge responsibility placed on my shoulders. But I am raring to go.”
“The most important thing is about reassuring the public that the police are there for them.”
Local elections: updates on Police and Crime Commissioner result for Avon and Somerset
Results are expected for Avon and Somerset on Friday afternoon
Updated
Conservative Mark Shelford been has elected Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset.
Mr Shelford beat rival candidates, Labour’s Kerry Barker, Green candidate Cleo Lake, Liberal Democrat Heather Shearer and John Smith, an independent in Friday s election count.
The outgoing Police and Crime Commissioner is Sue Mountstephens - who was the first person to hold the office and served an extended term after the coronavirus pandemic delayed local elections last year.
Mr Shelford polled the most votes in the first round in every area except Bristol, where Labour rival Kerry Barker and Green candidate Cleo Lake gained more votes. When second choice votes were added, Mr Shelford became the outright winner.