Minister: 'Low turnout won't affect role of PCCs'

Policing Minister Damian Green has defended elections for the first police and crime commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales.

The minister's comments came amid reports of low turnout and deserted polling stations.

The first PCC in England and Wales has already been announced in Wiltshire, and counts are due to start in 40 other police areas.

Mr Green said people are traditionally "slow to warm up" to new ideas, but insisted the low turnout would not affect the commissioners' legitimacy.