Conservative Marc Jones re-elected Lincolnshire police and crime commissioner

Marc Jones has been elected Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner (PCC) for a third time.

The 52-year-old Conservative defeated Labour's Mike Horder to hold the position he has had since 2016.

He won 39,639 of the 108,207 votes cast. Mr Horder won 31,931.

The 7,708 margin of victory represented a huge narrowing of the gap since the 2021 PCC election, when Mr Jones took 68,000 votes more than his nearest rival.

Mr Jones said: "I'm obviously feeling very good, it's a great result on the night. I'm really pleased I can now deliver on my agenda to reduce crime and keep our communities safe. It's a really good feeling.

"I think what we've seen is a lot of Conservatives across the country are staying at home. That means they're undecided, they haven't chosen to vote for somebody else, they're undecided."

PCCs appoint the chief constable and hold them to account for running the force. They set objectives for their area through a police and crime plan and set the force budget.

Lincolnshire is currently the lowest funded force in the UK per head of the population. Mr Jones said: "I am prepared to do everything possible to challenge the Home Office on the funding.

"We have to make the most of what we have and be efficient, effective and innovative. But I am prepared to do everything I can to protect Lincolnshire's interests."

Meanwhile, Labour candidate Mike Horder told ITV News Labour's gains showed people were disillusioned with the Tories.

"The people of Lincoln have spoken," he said.

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