Police commissioner: Dyfed-Powys elects Conservative Christopher Salmon

Conservative Christopher Salmon has been elected the first police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Dyfed-Powys.

It was a two-way fight between the Tories and Labour's Christine Gwyther, with Mr Salmon winning by a majority of 1,114 in the first Welsh declaration.

But nearly 3,000 votes were spoiled in Dyfed-Powys - 4.3% of those cast, and almost three times the winner's majority.

Independents won in North Wales and Gwent, and Labour in South Wales.

Mr Salmon received 32,887 votes, against 31,773 for Ms Gwyther, a former minister in the Welsh government. The turnout was 16.4%.

PCCs will be responsible for setting priorities for their police force, overseeing its budget and hiring the chief constable.

Mr Salmon, a businessman who has served with the Army, is from a Powys farming family. He called it a new opportunity to establish confidence in policing.

He said it was a "great privilege" to be elected.

"I am extremely grateful for the trust people have shown in me," he said.

"We face a number of challenges in the coming years, not least financial challenges, but I am determined we can emerge stronger, leaner and better.

"I look forward to working with the wonderful women and men of the police, the voluntary sector and other parts of government.

"Police and crime commissioners are an important reform to our local government.

"Like all such changes they are also controversial.

"To those who still harbour doubts, I am listening. I will work to ensure that the role becomes an influential, respected and - most importantly - effective position."

Jackie Roberts, chief constable of Dyfed-Powys Police, congratulated Mr Salmon and said she looked forward to working with him.

'Provide reassurance'

"The force will work closely with the commissioner in order to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and to safeguard and provide reassurance for all our communities," she added.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies said: "Christopher ran an excellent campaign and I congratulate him on his new role.

"This is a fantastic achievement for both him and the Welsh Conservative party as a whole."

The commissioner will take his oath of office on Tuesday before officially taking up his new role on Thursday, succeeding the police authority that will cease to exist from that date.

Ms Gwyther was born in Pembroke Dock and worked as a council development officer before going into politics.

She was an AM for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire from 1999-2007 and was the first Welsh assembly minister of agriculture.