Emily Spurrell re-elected as police and crime commissioner
Emily Spurrell (centre) was joined by her five-week-old baby to celebrate the victory
- Published
Labour's Emily Spurrell has been re-elected as Merseyside's police and crime commissioner.
Ms Spurrell, who was first elected in 2021, won a second term after securing 152,640 votes, more than four times more than the 35,221 collected by Conservative Bob Teesdale in second place.
The Green Party’s Amanda Onwuemene came third with 31,330 votes, and the Liberal Democrats' Christoper Carubia finished fourth with 28,093.
Ms Spurrell, who is currently on maternity leave after having a baby five weeks ago, thanked voters for re-electing her and pledged to continue to build a safer, stronger Merseyside.
The commissioner's role includes appointing and holding the area's chief constable to account, as well as setting the local police and crime priorities and budget.
Labour's Jane Kennedy was the first Merseyside's PCC, serving two terms in office from 2012, before Ms Spurrell was elected in 2021.
Ms Spurrell, who increased her vote share from 57% to 61.7%, said she was "so proud and honoured that the public... have once again chosen me to serve as their Police and Crime Commissioner with such a large majority".
“When I was first elected three years ago, I promised to stand up for our region and demand more for local people," she said.
“Today’s result is a huge endorsement... of the work which has already been delivered and shows [the public] back my plan to continue this work during the next four years."
“I’m determined to continue the work I’ve started – ridding the streets of the serious violence and organised crime that blights our neighbourhoods, investing in our communities and working to prevent crime by creating vital opportunities for young people."
She said she also intended to "make road safety a key priority to reduce the needless deaths and injuries that occur every year on our roads, and, through my scrutiny programme, I will see that Merseyside Police continues to deliver the best possible service to the people of our brilliant region".
“Together, we can continue to build a safer, stronger Merseyside," she added.
The turnout was 23.87% with a total of 247,284 votes cast.
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