Labour’s Alan Charles has been elected as Derbyshire’s first-ever Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) amid concerns about low voter turnout.
He beat Conservative candidate Simon Spencer, UKIP’s David Gale and independent Rod Hutton in an election which saw turnout of just 14.75 per cent.
Mr Charles won with a total of 57,248 votes.
Speaking after the result, Mr Charles said he was delighted but admitted the low turnout was “extremely worrying”.
He said: “I completely understand why people may say I don’t have a proper mandate.
“But we’ve been through a democratic process and I do have a mandate.”
Mr Charles pledged to oppose police cuts and privatisation and help keep Derbyshire safe.
He thanked everyone who voted for him.
Mr Charles will take over responsibility for overseeing Derbyshire police, appointing and dismissing the chief constable and setting the budget.
He will take up the £75,000-a-year post – which replaces Derbyshire Police Authority – at the end of the month.
Turnout has been low in numerous areas across the country.
For more on this story, see next week’s Derbyshire Times and keep checking our website for updates.