Bedfordshire elects first Labour PCC in eight years

A Labour police and crime commissioner (PCC) has been elected in Bedfordshire for the first time in eight years.

John Tizard received 40,738 votes - 5,050 more than incumbent Festus Akinbusoye of the Conservative Party - with a 19.6% turnout.

Before Mr Akinbusoye took on the role in 2021, it was held by fellow Tory Kathryn Holloway.

Mr Tizard said he was "committed to being very much the champion of victims, residents and businesses across the county".

In Thursday's vote, Mr Akinbusoye received 35,688 votes, Liberal Democrat Jasbar Parmer received 15,857, and Waheed Akbar of the Workers Party got 8,396.

Mr Akinbusoye, who also tried to replace Nadine Dorries as the MP for Mid Bedfordshire last year, said he was "really proud of what has been done in three years".

He believed turnout was an issue, with 100,679 votes being cast, which was down by 6.5% on the previous election.

Mr Tizard, who was previously a county councillor in Bedfordshire, said people in the county "wanted a change, particularly to restore community and neighbourhood policing" but admitted national politics had also played a part.

"At the same time, there was a real dissatisfaction with the Conservatives, both locally and nationally and I think we've taken the benefit of that change locally," he added.

He said he wanted to listen to people in the area: "I'll be going out meeting people, hearing what they have to say. You can’t do this job sitting in an office in Bedford."

Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on Facebook, external, Instagram, external and X, external. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 0800 169 1830