Tory John Campion wins third term as West Mercia PCC

John Campion has been elected for a third term

Conservative candidate John Campion has been re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Mercia Police area, but with a much smaller majority.

In 2021 he was elected with a majority of more than 100,000, but polled just 10,000 votes more than his Labour rival Richard Overton in the result announced on Friday.

The turnout was also down considerably, from 33.8% in 2021 to just 21.7%.

The Liberal Democrat candidate, Sarah Murray came third.

After the result was announced, Mr Campion said he had been given a “huge responsibility” to repay the trust of voters.

"I’m really humbled to have the support of communities across West Mercia, on a difficult day nationally for the Conservatives, but still winning here in West Mercia,” he said.

"I am proud of what I have achieved as your PCC over the last eight years, but I know there’s much more that needs to be done."

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He also paid tribute to his team, who he said had worked hard to "articulate a positive vision" and he said that played a part in his win.

He said the party needed to "rally round" that positive message, but that he was happy to "fight for another Conservative government".

Third-placed Ms Murray said results in Shropshire showed that the Conservative vote was “collapsing”.

Alex Wagner, who will be standing as a parliamentary candidate for the Lib Dems in Shrewsbury, said Friday's result would mean "electoral annihilation for the Conservatives" if it was replicated in a general election.

Mr Campion was first elected as West Mercia PCC in 2016 and is a former leader of Wyre Forest District Council.

During his campaign he said he would look to cut crime further, support victims and survivors, and to put policing back into the heart of communities.

The post was established in 2012, covering Shropshire, Telford, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

PCCs oversee police forces, holding them to account, as well setting priorities and budgets. They also commission services to help victims and prevent crime.

The votes cast were as follows:

• John Campion (Conservative) - 73,395

• Richard Overton (Labour) - 63,082

• Sarah Murray (Lib Dem) - 33,782

• Julian Dean (Green) - 22,021

• Henry Curteis (English Democrat) - 21,645