Simon Foster re-elected as West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner

It's after voters went to the polls on Thursday.

Author: Kellie MaddoxPublished 4th May 2024
Last updated 4th May 2024

Labour's Simon Foster has been re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the West Midlands.

He beat Conservative candidate and former police officer Tom Byrne.

Mr Foster received 327,000 votes across the region - a winning margin of more than 86,000.

Speaking after the result declaration in Birmingham, Mr Foster, who won a legal battle to fight Government efforts to scrap his PCC post, said: "The role of the PCC is as important as that of the (regional) mayor.

"That's why the West Midlands needs a democratically-elected and directly accountable PCC with their own democratic mandate. This is an election the Conservative government and its mayor did not want."

The turnout figure for the police and crime commissioner vote was 29.4%.

Mr Foster, a lawyer by profession, was elected to the PCC in 2021. Over the last three years, he has overseen policing across Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country.

He said his focus remains on rebuilding community policing, tacking violent crime, and ensuring women and girls are better protected from violence and abuse.

What is the role of the PCC?

Created in 2012, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role replaced the previous work of Police Authorities.

The PCC role includes:

  • Ensuring public views are heard within policing
  • Holding the Chief Constable to account
  • Ensuring appropriate services are in place for victims of crime
  • Setting the local police budget and determining levels of council tax

The West Midlands force area covers Birmingham, Coventry, Dudley, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall and Wolverhampton.

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