Turnout concerns mar PCC elections
A post-mortem was under way today into the first elections for police commissioners in England and Wales after the poll was marred by a record-low turnout.
Only around one in seven bothered to go to the ballot box, forcing David Cameron and Conservative ministers to defend a flagship policing reform and deny the role lacked a popular mandate.
A detailed inquiry has been ordered by the Electoral Commission, the watchdog accusing the Government of failing to listen to its warnings about potential problems.
Independents were the big winners, a number of former senior police officers and an ex-judge among 12 non-party candidates chosen for the new £100,00-a-year jobs.
Another scored a surprise victory over Labour in the Bristol mayoral election.
The other Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) - which replace police authorities for all forces outside London - are either Conservative (16) or Labour (13).
Politically historic moment overshadowed by poor turnout
This unique experiment in democracy won't be remembered for the first police commissioners, but for how little it caught voters' attention.
Prescott loses bid to become PCC
Lord Prescott has lost his bid to become the Police and Crime Commissioner for Humberside.
A guide to the Police and Crime Commissioner elections
A guide to the elections for Police and Crime commissioners in England and Wales, taking place tomorrow.