Cleveland PCC 2021: Conservative Steve Turner wins with more than 74,000 votes

Former Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor Steve Turner won 74,023 votes

A Tory candidate has scored a landslide victory to become the new Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Former Redcar and Cleveland borough councillor Steve Turner won 74,023 votes, almost double that of his nearest rival, Labour's Matthew Storey, who got 39,467.

Independent Barrie Cooper polled 16,667 votes, while Liberal Democrat Chris Jones got 6,540.

The current Cleveland PCC Lisa Oldroyd did not stand for re-election.

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The turnout was 33.7% and Mr Turner won 54% of the total valid first preference votes cast. There were 3,934 rejected ballot papers.

The winner needed more than 50%, so because of that the second preference votes were not counted.

The elections were due to take place in May 2020 but were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Turner will serve a three-year term until 2024 due to the year lost to Covid-19.

Barry Coppinger was the first Cleveland PCC and was elected in November 2012.

Barry Coppinger was later cleared by a watchdog over some WhatsApp messages

He was re-elected in 2016 with 41,337 votes, ahead of Conservative Matthew Vickers, who received 25,229.

In 2019 Cleveland became the first UK force to be rated as "inadequate" in all areas of its operations.

HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services said that it had been "operating without a clear plan or direction".

Staff had told inspectors they found the organisation "directionless, rudderless and clueless".

Mr Coppinger resigned in November 2020 saying the stress of the role had been having an impact on his health.

Lisa Oldroyd oversaw the force until the elections on Thursday.

PCCs work to ensure police forces in England and Wales are running effectively.

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