Still thin blue line in this county
Adams takes over from Ellis as Tory Police and Fire Commissioner
STAFFORDSHIRE’S new Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams says he is ‘honoured’ to take on the role after a landslide election result.
Over the weekend, it was confirmed that the Conservative candidate would take over from fellow Tory Matthew Ellis, who has stood down after serving in the role since it was first established in 2012.
Across the county 244,196 ballots were cast - against a backdrop of a total electorate in Staffordshire of 844,839, giving a turnout of just 28.9 per cent.
Mr Adams, who has served previously as a district and county councillor and has stood as a parliamentary candidate in Stokeon-trent, picked up a 55.71 per cent share of the vote with 136,024 votes. Labour candidate Tony Kearon came in second with 67,050, while independent Deneice Florencejukes collected the third highest number of votes - 19,102. Elsewhere, Liberal Democrat Richard Whelan landed 10,690 votes, and Reform UK candidate Michael Riley secured 5,504. Meanwhile there were 5,784 spoilt papers.
Speaking after his victory Mr Adams, who will officially take up the role later this week when he signs an oath to both services on May 14, says he will act on the concerns of residents. He said: “I am honoured that the people of Staffordshire and Stoke-on-trent have put their faith in me to help our police and fire and rescue services keep them safe.
“I can’t wait to get started and ensure that local people’s concerns and priorities are heard and acted upon. I know that local taxpayers want their hard-earned money used to support the frontline police and fire and rescue effort, and that this is felt directly by communities.
“I will be looking for more opportunities to share resources between police and fire, building on recent successes at Hanley and Tamworth, where the two services now work well and efficiently alongside each other.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has helped and supported me and look forward to delivering on the trust that has been placed in me.”
Residents will be able to watch a live stream of Mr Adams signing the oath at the shared police and fire hub in Hanley. It will be streamed on the Commissioner’s website.
Meanwhile a breakdown of turnouts by area has revealed the lowest was in Stoke-on-trent. The turnouts in the county were as follows Cannock Chase: 29.64%, East Staffs: 31.01%, Lichfield: 33.13%, Newcastle: 30.48%, South Staffs: 31.61%, Stafford: 34.12%, Staffs Moorlands: 31.02%, Tamworth: 30.91%, Stoke on Trent: 18.7%
There are 39 Police and Crime Commissioners across England and Wales, only four of which, including the Staffordshire Commissioner, are also Fire Commissioners.