Labour retain Cleveland and Durham Police and Crime Commissioner posts

Labour has retained its firm grip on control of the region's police forces.
Barry Coppinger.Barry Coppinger.
Barry Coppinger.

The party’s candidates were successful in elections for Police and Crime Commissioners for both Cleveland and Durham forces.

Labour’s Barry Coppinger received 32,733 first-choice preferences in the Cleveland vote, more than any other candidate but not enough to secure an automatic win.

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Conservative Matthew Vickers was second, with 18,196 votes, while Ukip’s Steve Matthews received 17,005 and independent Sultan Alam 11,895.

The lack of an overall majority mean the count went to a second round, in which Mr Coppinger and Mr Vicker’s second-preference papers were counted, which saw the Labour candidate receive another 8,604 votes and his rival a further 7,033.

Temporary Chief Constable Iain Spittal said: “I look forward to continuing to build upon our successful work with Barry Coppinger.

“Policing can be a tough challenge, but we are absolutely on the right path to delivering services to make our communities safer and to help them become stronger.”

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Ron Hogg received 50,915 first-choice votes in the Durham vote, enough to secure an outright win.

Conservative Peter Cuthbertson secured 18,797 first-choice preferences and Lib Dem Craig Martin 10,060.

“The increased share of the vote is a fantastic endorsement of what we have achieved over the past four years,” said Mr Hogg.

Chief Constable Mike Barton said: “I very much look forward to working with him to ensure we deliver the best possible service for the people of County Durham and Darlington.”