Alun Michael re-elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales

Alun Michael has been re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for South Wales.

The Labour politician received 225,463 votes and a majority of 97,619.

This will be his third term overseeing South Wales Police. He was first elected in 2012 when the PCC role was created, and then again in 2016.

As well as the Senedd elections on Thursday, May 6, voters chose the PCCs to oversee the four Welsh police forces. The results for South Wales Police were announced on Sunday afternoon, May 9.

Mr Michael, a former South Wales Echo reporter and later First Secretary of Wales, stood down as an MP in 2012 to stand for election as PCC.

He said: "I take very seriously the responsibilities the voters have placed on my shoulders, in continuing to deliver and improve the effectiveness of policing and the prevention of harm across south Wales"

The PCC role involves holding chief constables and police forces to account. They have the power to hire and fire chief constables, and set the budget for a police force.

South Wales Police covers Bridgend, Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

The other three police forces in Wales are: Gwent, North Wales and Dyfed-Powys.

These elections use the supplementary vote system, where voters can pick their first preference and second preference candidates. If one candidate receives more than 50 per cent of the first preference votes, they win.

If not, all but the top two candidates are eliminated, and then the second preference votes are counted.

The full results for first preference votes the South Wales area are as follows:

Alun Michael (LAB) 177,110 — 41 per cent

Nadine Marshall (PLAID) 82,246 — 19 per cent

Callum Littlemore (LIB DEM) 19,907 — 4.6 per cent

Mr Michael and Mr Gallagher made it through to the second round of counting.

For second preference votes, Mr Michael received 48,353 votes and Mr Gallagher received 25,379.

The turnout was 45.46 per cent.