Ron Ball delighted to land police commissioner role

Buy photos » The chief constable of Warwickshire, Andy Parker, with newly elected Ron Ball. (s)

WARWICKSHIRE'S newly elected police and crime commissioner Ron Ball said his victory was clear indication the public wanted to keep party politics out of policing.

The independent candidate, who beat Conservative Fraser Pithie and then Labour's James Plaskitt in the election after votes were counted on Friday (November 16), said he was confident the new system would work as many people shared his determination.

Mr Ball, from Bidford, added: "I am absolutely delighted to have been elected. My thanks to those of you who voted for me including those who put me as their second preference. Those votes proved decisive in the end.

"I believe that there was a strongly expressed sentiment that people do not want to see party politics too closely involved in policing. Many spoiled ballot papers had those words written across them.

"I was disappointed but not surprised by the low turnout. The government did a poor job of promoting a flagship policy. However, I am not going to allow that to affect the way I approach my role. Policing is done by consent in Britain and that means that the wishes of the people need to be unambiguously conveyed to our police and they need to understand what is required of them. That has not changed. That process now needs to happen through me.

"Elections tend to be divisive, and differences get highlighted in order to attract votes. That process is now behind us and I know that we all now need to focus on what we all want-reducing crime and antisocial behaviour in Warwickshire.

"This is a radical and significant change to policing and crime reduction arrangements.

"The reason that I’m confident that these new arrangements will work is because so many of the people I have met share my determination that they will."

Mr Ball, who formally takes up office on Thursday (November 22), added he would submitting a budget by the end of January

The chief constable of Warwickshire, Andy Parker, has welcomed him to the new role, saying: "I would like to congratulate Ron Ball on his appointment and I look forward to working with him and our partners to reduce harm in Warwickshire.

"This is a new role, and one which will face many challenges, but I am confident that we can continue to reduce crime and make our communities safer."

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