Joy Allen re-elected as PCC with increased majority

Joy Allen has been re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for County Durham and Darlington, reports Bill Edgar, Local Democracy Reporter. 

The Labour candidate retained her role after receiving 66,752 votes following the election last Thursday.

Conservative candidate Robert Potts came second with 37,773 votes, while Nigel Boddy of the Liberal Democrats received 14,678 votes. 

PCC Allen, a former councillor and mayor of Bishop Auckland, was first elected in 2021. Then, she won by a margin of just over three thousand votes after a re-count. 

Turnout for the election was 25.86%, down by almost 10% on 2021’s election. It was the first year that the first past the post voting system was used.

PCCs are elected officials whose job is to help ensure police forces function effectively, but are not responsible for running those forces themselves. They hold police forces to account and scrutinise their performances on behalf of the public.

Speaking after her election, PCC Allen said: “I’m overwhelmed with the public’s support.

“After three years as a PCC, this is where we are judged by the public, and they’ve given me a resounding thumbs up with the work I’ve been doing. 

“I’m absolutely delighted and honoured to continue in this role, delivering what matters to the public, and making County Durham and Darlington safer, stronger and more resilient. 

“There’s a massive amount of work to do going forward but I can’t wait to continue.”

Speaking to South West Durham News after her win, PCC Allen singled out off-road bikes as one of her main priorities: “I want to throw the kitchen sink at this problem,” she said. “The key thing to tackle off-road bikes is who is riding them, and where are they being stored.

“I am investing in drones so that we can follow riders without having to involve the police and public in dangerous chases.

“We will ensure there is no hiding place for off-road bike riders or their bikes, which will be confiscated and crushed.”

PCC Allen’s new four year plan intends to include reform of the justice system, particularly the rehabilitation of offenders.

“If we can provide a good support network, including accommodation, job opportunities and improving the relationships with families, particularly of people struggling with substance abuse, there is a significant reduction in re-offending in those cases.”

PCC Allen’s win comes after Labour enjoyed success in the North East mayoral election, where the party’s candidate Kim McGuinness was elected.

The opportunity to work in partnership with Labour leaders across the region was hailed by PCC Allen as a positive step. 

She added: “Often some of the policies in Westminster don’t apply to people here in County Durham and Darlington.

“PCC’s and mayors have a loud voice and it allows us to speak up for and support the area. 

“Collaborative working can only be a better thing to help deliver results that matter for residents.”