LABOUR’S Bob Jones has been elected to take on the brand new role of West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Jones has bagged the top job after beating Tory candidate Matt Bennett into second place following yesterday’s election which recorded a turnout across the region of just 12.31 per cent.

Commissioner Jones secured 117,388 first and second preference votes, compared with 55,685 for Matt Bennett.

The newly-elected commissioner is now due to meet with the Chief Constable of West Midlands Police, Chris Sims, to discuss the future and look at how they can work together to further improve the service provided to people across the Dudley borough and the entire West Midlands.

Mr Sims congratulated Mr Jones on his win, adding: “This year the West Midlands has seen the lowest crime ever recorded thanks to the hard work of officers and staff across the force.

"We are entering a new era for policing governance and I am confident we will be able to build on recent successes.

"I will be meeting with Commissioner Jones in his capacity as PCC over the coming days to discuss how we can start to shape our plans for working together.”

The turnout for the election is believed to be the lowest in history.