Tim Passmore remains Suffolk police and crime commissioner

Mr Passmore defeated his closest rival, Labour's Sir Robin Wales, by more than 11,000 votes - albeit he saw his majority from the last election significantly reduced.

The result was announced at West Suffolk House in Bury St Edmunds on Friday after a vote on Thursday.

He is one of only two police and crime commissioners to hold the role for their county since the positions were created in 2012.

This was the first police and crime commissioner poll to be held with the first past the post voting system.

Tim Passmore won the PCC election by over 11,000 votes (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

The news of Mr Passmore's re-election will come as a welcome relief for Suffolk's Conservatives after the party lost five seats in the Ipswich Borough Council election, which had its results announced in the early hours of Friday.

Mr Passmore said: "I love Suffolk, and I would like to thank the people of Suffolk for coming out and voting for me."

He added that the new term will focus on cracking down on illegal drug use, and migrations across the county - and aims to have a police plan in place by the end of 2024.  

Mr Passmore's re-election follows on from his victories in polls in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

The 2021 vote was meant to be held in 2020 but was pushed back due to Covid.

In 2021 Mr Passmore won by a much more sizable margin, with nearly 65,000 votes more than second place Labour candidate. 

He said: "I think in 2021 the Conservative Party was expected to do well, but this year I think it was more about who can deliver what the people of Suffolk want.

"And I will work for everyone, irrespective of their politics."

Mr Passmore said that he would deliver for people irrespective of their politics (Image: Shikhar Talwar)

Mr Passmore secured 52,968 votes, while Labour's Sir Robin was second with 41,754 votes.

The Green's candidate Rachel Smith-Lyte came home third with 22,471 ballots, and James Sandbach for the Liberal Democrats won 14,559 votes.

Sir Robin said of the outcome: "It has been a marvellous improvement in the Labour vote and clearly people have had enough of the Tories - this is the first time they have dipped below half the vote in Suffolk."

Elsewhere in Suffolk, the Greens' Lorraine Baker won the Chilton ward in Stowmarket in a Mid Suffolk District Council by-election.

The results for the police and crime commissioner were as follows:

Tim Passmore, Conservative: 52,968

Sir Robin Wales, Labour: 41,754

Rachel Smith-Lyte, Green: 22,471

James Sandbach, Liberal Democrats: 14,559

Turnout 22.9%