Voter's protest over police elections

On thursday voters across England and Wales will have the chance to elect a police and crime commissioner for their local force. A commissioner will be responsible for setting budgets and policing priorities as well as appointing and dismissing Chief Constables.

But some polls suggest turnout could be as low as 15% which would be the lowest percentage in British history. It's led some to question the election's validity.

One voter in North Yorkshire has decided to take a stand against the elections by spoiling her ballot paper on purpose. Janice Gwilliam says she doesn't believe in the election or what it will achieve.

But the returning officers who are responsible for overseeing the elections say it's very important that people do get a chance to have their say, and that low turnout will not lead to legal questions about the elections.

When the Police and Crime Commissioners are elected they'll be under pressure from the start to show us what difference they can make. The pressure on them now is to get people to the polls to give them that chance.

For more information visit the Police Elections website.