Cleveland's new PCC pledges to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour

Barry Coppinger won with a total of 31 340 votes and says he is looking forward to taking up his new role. Credit: ITV Tyne Tees

Labour's Barry Coppinger says he is looking forward to taking up his new role as Police and Crime Commissioner for the Cleveland Police area.

The force has found itself in the spotlight over recent months and years for all the wrong reasons.

Its Chief Constable was sacked for gross misconduct and Operation Sacristy - an investigation into alleged corruption is continuing.

Claire Montgomery reports from Teesside, where there was another low turnout:

Cleveland's Police and Crime Commissioner elect, Barry Coppinger,outlined his plans in an interview with ITV Tyne Tees:

Turnout in the Cleveland area was 15.12 per cent.

Barry Coppinger won with a total of 31 340 votes compared with the Conservative candidate, Ken Lupton, coming second with 20 171 votes. 63 431 valid votes were cast.

Fellow candidates Sultan Alam (Independent) and Joe Michna (Green) were eliminated when second preference votes were taken into account.

Returning Officer, David Bond, says he is disappointed by the turnout and believes it may prompt the government to look at how it plans for similar elections in the future.

Find out more on the Police and Crime Commissioner elections here.