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On 2 May 2024 the voters of North Wales re-elected Andy Dunbobbin of Welsh Labour to be the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the next four years. The result of the election was declared on the afternoon of May 3 at Wrexham University by Ian Bancroft, Chief Executive of Wrexham County Borough Council and Police Area Returning Officer for the PCC election in North Wales.
Registered voters aged over 18 could take part in the election, which was the first PCC election conducted by the first-past-the-post system instead of the previous alternative vote method.
Andy Dunbobbin was first elected the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales in 2021. He is from Connah’s Quay where he lives with his wife, son and daughter. He was previously a County Councillor on Flintshire County Council for the Connah's Quay Golftyn ward but continues to be a member of Connah’s Quay Town Council. Prior to his election, Mr Dunbobbin laid out his community orientated police service approach (COPS) to policing and his manifesto centred on four strategic pillars. These are a local neighbourhood policing presence; supporting victims, communities and businesses; a fair and effective criminal justice system; and a visible and responsive Police and Crime Commissioner.
The role of the PCC is to oversee the police force in North Wales and ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible. Each Commissioner has a duty to secure an efficient and effective police service, which shows value for money and, above all, cuts crime. In Wales, there are 4 Commissioners, one each for the 4 Police Force areas of North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent, and South Wales.
The Commissioner has four main duties, which are to:
- Set out the priorities for policing in North Wales
- Decide the budget for North Wales Police
- Hold the Chief Constable to account, and to
- Listen and respond to the public’s views on policing.
The role also includes commissioning vital community safety services and projects in the area, and ensuring that public priorities are acted upon, victims are consulted and that the most vulnerable individuals are not overlooked. Over the coming weeks and months Andy Dunbobbin will consult the public on what priorities they want the police to act on. This public engagement will help inform the Police and Crime Plan for North Wales, which will in turn be followed by North Wales Police.
Each PCC also has an office made up of staff who help them carry out their role. In North Wales, this includes the office CEO, administrative and support staff, policy officers, communications staff, and analysts, based at North Wales Police HQ in Colwyn Bay.
Police and Crime Commissioner of North Wales, Andy Dunbobbin, commented: “I feel immensely honoured to have been re-elected by the people of North Wales. It shows that they are happy with the work I have been doing over the last three years to make policing more effective, efficient and accountable. There is always more work we can do and I can’t wait to get stuck back into serving all the people of North Wales, whether they voted for me or not. I would like to thank all who helped contribute to my campaign, my family, and the people of North Wales for the trust that have shown in me once again.”
Chief Constable of North Wales Police, Amanda Blakeman, added: “I would like to congratulate the PCC on his election. As a Force, our vision is for North Wales to be the safest place in the country to live, work and visit – a vision I know is shared by the PCC. We already have amongst the lowest crime levels nationally, but there is always more we can do to drive down crime even further. I look forward to working with the PCC in the coming months and years in consultation with the people of North Wales.”
Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, Stephen Hughes said: “As Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, I am grateful to the organisers of the election for a well-run process, and I welcome the PCC into their role.
“The staff of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner are there to support the Commissioner in carrying out their vital work on behalf of the people of North Wales, including holding the Chief Constable to account and ensuring the Police are doing their job effectively and in accordance with the wishes of residents.
“Staff also manage the distribution of funding to crucial services that people depend on, such as organisations supporting victims of domestic abuse, people with substance misuse, and those helping children and young people. I know we are all looking forward to working with the PCC to put their vision and policies into practice.”
The full result of the election was as follows:
Labour: 31, 950
Conservative: 26,281
Plaid Cymru: 23,466
Lib Dem: 7,129
Majority 5,669