VOTER turnout rose significantly in the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner elections which saw the Conservative’s David Munro win with 100,122 votes – more than 40,000 more than those cast for the independent incumbent Kevin Hurley.

The turnout of 28.07 per cent was a big increase on the first PCC election in 2012, when 15.36 per cent of the Surrey electorate cast their vote. Just 15.1 per cent of voters turned out Nationally that year – the lowest election turnout in British peacetime history.

Mr Hurley, who stood for re-election, came second with 57,681 votes.

The poll went to a second round of votes after Mr Munro failed to secure 50 per cent of the vote after first choices were counted.

Mr Munro, a county and borough councillor from Farnham, took 82,125 of the 232,474 first choice votes cast while Mr Hurley received 41,603. Mr Munro extended his lead to 100,122 against Mr Hurley’s 57,681 after the second preferences.

Mr Munro said: “I am delighted in the confidence shown me by Surrey residents and promise to serve them to the best of my ability for the next four years.

“I am particularly looking forward to working with the Chief Constable and all ranks and staff of Surrey Police in our joint enterprise of serving everyone.”

Outgoing PCC Mr Hurley said: “In my day as a police officer, we used to say ‘the public gets the police force they deserve’ and in this case, they will get the police force with the budget they voted for.”

Mr Munro will remain in his new post until the next election 2020. He pledged to resign his council posts if elected and stepped down from Waverley Borough Council on Tuesday and will step down from Surrey County Council, triggering by-elections for both South Farnham seats.

During the election, Mr Hurley raised concern about the registered address for the elections used by fellow independent candidate Jamie Goldrick.

Mr Hurley objected to Mr Goldrick using a “virtual” mailbox and reported him to the returning officer.

Mr Hurley, who used Imber Court sports club in East Molesey, as his registered address, was told he could not use a PO Box, which he disputed after expressing fears he could be a terror target if his home address was published.

PCC RESULT:

David Munro (Conservative) 100,122 votes

Kevin Hurley (Independent) 57, 681 votes

Paul Kennedy (Liberal Democrats) 29,933 votes

Howard Kaye (Labour) 28,005 votes

Julia Searle (UKIP) 24,055 votes

Jamie Goldrick (Independent) 14,007 votes

Camille Juliff (Independent) 12,746 votes

• Conservative Katy Bourne was re-elected as police and crime commissioner for Sussex.

Three candidates were eliminated in the first count, leaving only Ms Bourne and Labour’s Michael Jones.

In the first count, Ms Bourne had 114,570 votes and Mr Jones had 61,017. The second count brought their totals to 139,335 and 86,392 respectively. I’m absolutely honoured and very privileged to be elected,” she said.

“I need to find extra savings because budgets are still reducing, and to invest in frontline policing because I know that is really important to people in Sussex.”

The number of electors who voted was 274,250 (22.54 per cent), compared with 189,236 (15.33 per cent), who voted in 2012.

SUSSEX PCC RESULT:

Katy Bourne

(Conservative) 139,335

Michael Jones (Labour) 86,392

Patrick Lowe (UKIP) 43,075

James Walsh (Liberal Democrat) 29,550

James Doyle (Green Party) 26,038

• Michael Lane beame the second Tory to defeat the independent incumbent PCC in the south when he was elected in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

He received 29 per cent of the first preference votes and a total of 153,990 first and second preferences compared to Labour’s Robin Price, who picked up 87,744 of the first and second preference votes.

The serving independent PCC Simon Hayes, did not make the second round.

The turnout was nearly double from four years ago at 29 per cent.

Mr Lane said: “I appreciate the voters trust in me and promise everyone I will dedicate myself to the role.”

"While I will take the role of scrutiny of the force seriously, I admire the Chief Constable and officers as dedicated professionals.

“I would also like to thank Simon Hayes, for setting up the office and the great care he has shown for residents of Hampshire.”