CONSERVATIVE candidate Steve Turner has been elected as the new Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner after polling more than 50% in the first vote in another stunning election win for the Tories.
Mr Turner secured 74,023 votes, with Labour's Matt Storey getting 39,467.
Christopher Jones from the Lib Dems secured 6,540 votes, with independent Barrie Cooper getting 16,667. The turnout was 33.7%.
Mr Turner described it as a 'fantastic achievement', adding it gave him a 'real mandate'
He said: "It's a fantastic achievement to get it elected on the first round and it gives me a real mandate from the people of Cleveland to take my ideas forward.
"I have talked about being tough on crime, tough on anti-social behaviour, we're going to crack down on drug dealing on our streets because it is unacceptable.
"One of the first things that I will be doing is sitting down with the Chief Constable setting out our strategy and talking about the resources that he needs to be able to carry out those plans."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here