Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner: Donna Jones elected

Conservative Donna Jones won at the polls after standing again to be Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Ms Jones said she will recruit an additional 75 police officers in the next 12 months, open more police stations and front counters, and crackdown on shoplifting.

She said cutting serious crime and boosting road safety are also pledges.

In a statement after the election result was returned, Ms Jones said: “I’m extremely honoured to be re-elected. The hard work continues (today). I am determined to recruit more police officers, to make sure that everyone who reports a crime gets feedback and that there is a comprehensive crackdown on shoplifting.

“ I will carry on making sure that communities across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are safer by making increased police visibility a priority, by taking more knives off the streets and providing focused support for victims.

“I will continue to listen to residents, families, businesses and neighbourhoods throughout the two counties, and I will act quickly and efficiently working with the Chief Constable because the public rightly deserve robust policing and swift justice.

“These are huge responsibilities and I’m looking forward to getting back to delivering for the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

The Liberal Democrats candidate Prad Bains secured 92,843 votes, while Don Jerrard - who stands for the Justice & Anti-Corruption Party - took 40,691 votes.

Labour’s Becky Williams secured 106,141 votes.

Ms Jones is a former magistrates and was previously leader of Portsmouth City Council.

Overall turnout was 28.38 per cent - but in Southampton where there was a council election this rose to 29.5 per cent.

Similarly, turn out was higher in Eastleigh at 31.2 per cent and in Farehm at 35.9 per cent, and in Gosport at 33.9 per cent. In the New Forest, where there was no election, turn out was 19.09 per cent.