Alison Hernandez re-elected as Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner

For the third time, Alison Hernandez has been re-elected as Devon and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

The Conservative commissioner first took office in 2016 and was then re-elected in 2021.

A total of 308,607 votes were placed, equivalent to 22.5 per cent of the potential electorate within the Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly constituency.

Ms Hernandez took 131,764 votes, Mr Steel (Labour) took 107,897 and Mr Lodge (Lib Dem) 64,790. The number of votes is a steep drop compared to the 2021 election, which had a 36.1% turnout.

In Torbay, Hernandez was the preferred candidate with 52% of the vote.

She has pledged to continue with her work to maintain record police officer numbers, reopen more police stations to the public, expand the award-winning Prisoners Building Homes scheme and continue to work in partnership with other commissioners to crack down on drugs.

There will also be a renewed focus on rural crime and antisocial behaviour in the new term, which runs until 2028. 

Alison will also continue to campaign for a better deal for Devon & Cornwall Police ahead of a review of central government funding.

Other prominent ongoing issues include the Devon and Cornwall police force remaining in special measures, and its chief constable Will Kerr still being suspended from his £170,000 a year job while under investigation.

“I am delighted to be asked by residents of Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly to serve another term,” she said.

“Much has been achieved since I was first elected to office in 2016 but there remains more to be done. Policing has changed and the threats to our safety and security have developed over the years.

“I want to ensure our communities feel that the police are by their side, care about the things they care about and are motivated and resourced to tackle the problems they experience.”