Results of West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner election due
The results of the West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner elections are due to be announced early this afternoon.
The three candidates in the West Mercia area fighting for the seat are Adrian Blackshaw, the Conservative candidate, Bill Longmore, an independent candidate, and Dr Simon Murphy, who is standing for Labour.
The aim of the commissioner will be to cut crime and deliver an effective police service within the force area. The commissioner will ensure community needs are met as effective as possible and will work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.
The West Mercia count began at the Shrewsbury Sports Village at 10.30am this morning. Counting is not excpected to take as long as thought due to the low turnout.
In the Shropshire Council area 33,700 people turned out to vote, whilst in Telford & Wrekin 23,000 people voted.
Claire Porter the Police Area Returning Officer for the Police & Crime Commissioner Elections is responsible for the overall conduct of the election in the West Mercia area.
Along with Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin, there are seven other Authorities in the West Mercia area being counted at Shrewsbury Sports Village. They are Bromsgrove, Herefordshire, Malvern Hills, Redditch, Worcester, Wychavon and Wyre Forest.
The Electoral Reform Society has said polling stations were "standing empty" yesterday, and called for those responsible for "avoidable errors" in the delivery of the elections to be held to account.
