Chief Constable welcomes new Police and Crime Commissioner

“I look forward to getting to know Mr. Keane, and working with him to deliver his Police and Crime Plan and maintaining the momentum of preventing crime and keeping criminals on the back foot.”

Mr Keane will formally begin his role on 12 May.

David Keane said: “I am honoured to have been chosen by the people of Cheshire to be the next Police & Crime Commissioner.

“I was elected on three clear pledges I made to the Cheshire people – to deliver real neighbourhood policing; to back our police officers and get them back on the streets fighting crime and keeping us safe; and to focus on the delivery of your priorities to deliver a police service you can be proud of.”

Mr Keane added: “I look forward to working with the chief constable to deliver for the people of Cheshire to make it one of the safest areas to live in the country.”

Mr Keane was declared the winner by Halton Borough Council chief executive David Parr at Select Security Stadium in Widnes just before 8.20pm.

He collected 84,601 votes, compared to Conservative and previous PCC John Dwyer on 81,652 votes after first and second preferences were declared.After the first preference count only, Labour’s David Keane was in front on 72,497 votes (39.76%), followed by Conservative John Dwyer with 69,322 (38.02%), Lib Dem Neil Lewis on 18,530 votes (10.16%) and Ukip’s Jonathan Starkey on 21,991 (12.06%).

Turnout across Cheshire was 23.85%, up from 13.74% in 2012.

Cheshire East had the lowest turnout with 20.52%, with Cheshire West And Chester on 20.99%.