Katy Bourne re-elected as Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner

It is the Conservative PCC’s fourth term in the position having been first elected in 2012.

Ms Bourne received 122,495 votes while opponents Paul Richards, Labour and Co-operative Party, got 99,502 Jamie Bennett, Lib Dems, got 48,923, and Jonathan Kent, Greens, 43,105.

Turnout for the election was 24.49 per cent.

Following her re-election Ms Bourne thanked her opponents for a “well run campaign” where the "politics was kept clean”.

She thanked residents for “keeping faith in her” and said she felt “humbled” to have another term.

Ms Bourne said she will continue to work closely with Sussex Police to “drive up performance”.

She also paid tribute to the force’s officers describing them as the “unsung heroes who keep us safe”.

Katy Bourne (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

“I will work tirelessly to ensure I don’t let you down,” she said.

Going into the election Ms Bourne said her focus was cutting crime and getting more police on the streets.

She said earlier in the campaign that she wanted to: “Continue cutting crime, catching criminals, fighting drugs gangs, county lines and serious violence and reducing re-offending – making everyone safer in Sussex.

“Make policing visible, especially in our towns and villages, and tackle anti-social behaviour by increasing the number of hotspot patrols.

“More investment into roads policing.

“Make shops and businesses safer places to work and visit.

“Give our Rural Crime Team more tech capability.

“Support victims of crime, especially our elderly and young, and protect our vulnerable from all forms of abuse – continue introducing innovation to keep women and girls safe in our public spaces.”