Alan Billings elected as the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Due to Covid regulations the count was delayed until today to allow local authority election votes to be counted and social distancing to be respected.

At the count at Barnsley Metrodome Dr Billings was announced the winner in the first round after securing over 50% of the vote. The total votes were as follows:

Dr Alan Billings 165,442 (54%)

David Chinchen 98,851(32%)

Joe Otten 42,462 (14%)

Dr Billings was first elected in November 2014 following a by-election and he was re-elected in May 2016.

Commenting on his re-election Dr Alan Billings said: “I thank the public of South Yorkshire for putting their confidence in me to be their PCC for a third time.

“I will continue to ensure that the priorities of the public are reflected in policing and crime decisions and that communities feel safe. I will continue to ensure that victims of crime have their crime investigated and receive the support they need.

“Over the last five years South Yorkshire Police has moved from being a low performing to a top performing force and one that is held up as an example to others.

“One of my immediate priorities is to appoint a new Chief Constable. I want to see someone who will enable the force to improve further, who will continue to increase officer numbers and combat crime and anti-social behaviour.

I will hold the force to account but also give both officers and staff full support as they face new and emerging challenges.”

Dr Billings is a former priest-academic. He was born in Leicester but has resided in Sheffield for a number of years where he previously served as a parish priest at St Silas, Broomhall, St Mary, Beighton and St Mary, Walkley. He was also Head of Religious and Social Studies at Broadway School, Barnsley. He then pursued an academic career in Oxford, Birmingham and the North West.

He has been active in politics in South Yorkshire for a number of years. He was Deputy Leader of Sheffield City Council between 1975 and 1986. He has held a number of positions in the public sector including a former Board member of the Funding Agency for Schools, a Schools Adjudicator, member of the Home Office Community Cohesion Panel and the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales and the England Committee of the Big Lottery Board.

Police and crime commissioners have to swear an Oath before they are able to take up office. This will take place tomorrow (Tuesday 11 May) with Dr Billings and the Area Returning Officer, Sarah Norman, Chief Executive of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council.

Across South Yorkshire the turnout for the police and crime commissioner elections was 30.89% (Barnsley: 28.47%, Doncaster 27.82%%, Rotherham 29.63 % and Sheffield 30.89%).

The role of the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner is to monitor the performance of South Yorkshire Police and to hold the force to account.

The PCC sets the annual budget and publishes a police and crime plan detailing the issues officers will focus on.

South Yorkshire police boss to be announced today after votes are counted

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