CONSERVATIVE John Dwyer is Cheshire’s new police and crime commissioner after winning the top job back from Labour’s David Keane.

Mr Dwyer, who held the post between 2012-16, suffered a shock defeat to Mr Keane back in 2016.

But he has won it back for the Tories after coming out on top in Cheshire's PCC election.

The result was declared at the DCBL Stadium in Widnes this evening, Saturday.

Liberal Democrat Jo Conchie and Reform UK’s Nick Goulding also battled for the post.

Mr Dwyer won 111,962 votes and Mr Keane secured 99,463 votes after the first and second preferences were declared.

Turnout was up across Cheshire at 27 per cent in total compared to 23.85 per cent at the last PCC elections in 2016.

It was highest in Warrington at 35.02 per cent, second highest in Halton at 26.4 per cent, then Cheshire East at 25.32 per cent and lowest in Cheshire West and Chester at 25.03 per cent.

The role of the police and crime commissioner is to hold the chief constable to account on behalf of Cheshire residents, set the police budget and commission services for victims of crime.

Mr Dwyer has been married to his wife Zena for 41 years. He retired as assistant chief constable in Cheshire after a 30-year career which started in Nottinghamshire, followed by a transfer to the West Midlands as a chief inspector and finally to Cheshire as ACC.

He was the first police and crime commissioner for Cheshire from 2012 to 2016.

Mr Dwyer said: “I am delighted to have been returned as the police and crime commissioner for Cheshire and I want to thank the voters in Cheshire for supporting me.

"I'm delighted for the support I've had from all of you across the county.

"We've run this election on political lines because that's how elections operate but I've made it clear during my campaign, this role is neutral, from here on the politics stops.

"From here on I will represent every person in this county no matter which way they voted.

"It's important that they understand my neutrality to them - and I want to be sure they can come to me anytime they like to discuss issues they are having with the local police service and I will act as their conduit to the chief constable, so please don't hesitate to make contact with me, no matter how you voted this time.

"This job is neutral, I'm going to do a really good job for all of you."

He will officially take up the post when the new term starts on May 13. 

Chief constable Mark Roberts said: “I’d like to congratulate John Dwyer on his election to the post of police and crime commissioner.

“I know John from when he previously held this role and now look forward to working with him again to ensure we continue to prevent crime, support victims and protect vulnerable people across Cheshire.

“We will work together on a police and crime plan which deals with the issues that most affect our communities and ensures Cheshire is a safe place for the public and a bad place to be a criminal."