Voters go to the polls to choose Lancashire's police commissioner

9:26am Thursday 15th November 2012 in News

Voters go to the polls today to choose England and Wales's first police and crime commissioners under the most radical shake-up of the service in half a century.

Elections are being held in the 41 police areas outside London but experts claim turnout could be as low as 15% as a combination of apathy, lack of awareness and dark, cold weather keeps voters at home.

The new commissioners, who are expected to earn up to £100,000, will control police budgets, set priorities and have the power to hire and fire chief constables.

Standing for election in Lancashire are Lib Dem Afzal Anwar, Conservative Tim Ashton, Labour's Clive Grunsahw and UKIP's Robert Drobny.

Related links

Comments (10)

10:07am Thu 15 Nov 12

burner says...

. . " Voters go to the polls today " . . I doubt they will.
. . " Voters go to the polls today " . . I doubt they will. burner

10:16am Thu 15 Nov 12

A Darener says...

I passed my polling booth this morning on the way to get my LT. I passed it on the way back too. The first time since I became eligible to vote in over 45 years that I will not be casting my vote. This election is a farce. Just created to give jobs for the boys! Wasting money that could be spent on more police on the beat etc. The Chief Constable is the man for the job. He alone should know what is required. All politicians need to do is provide the monies for him to spend. The money is there. It is just being wasted on other things e.g. the EU. Aid to other better off countries etc.
I passed my polling booth this morning on the way to get my LT. I passed it on the way back too. The first time since I became eligible to vote in over 45 years that I will not be casting my vote. This election is a farce. Just created to give jobs for the boys! Wasting money that could be spent on more police on the beat etc. The Chief Constable is the man for the job. He alone should know what is required. All politicians need to do is provide the monies for him to spend. The money is there. It is just being wasted on other things e.g. the EU. Aid to other better off countries etc. A Darener

10:16am Thu 15 Nov 12

vicn1956 says...

Because some politicians think it's a good idea they expect us like sheep to agree and vote! Baah baah baah!
Because some politicians think it's a good idea they expect us like sheep to agree and vote! Baah baah baah! vicn1956

10:24am Thu 15 Nov 12

HairyBowls says...

These new commissioners will be playing golf, wined and dined, driving expensive cars, staying in expensive hotels and claiming extortionate expenses...basically joining the same mens clubs the chief constables have been enjoying for far too long...vote for this shambles at your peril!
These new commissioners will be playing golf, wined and dined, driving expensive cars, staying in expensive hotels and claiming extortionate expenses...basically joining the same mens clubs the chief constables have been enjoying for far too long...vote for this shambles at your peril! HairyBowls

10:34am Thu 15 Nov 12

juanbbien says...

It's not the people who vote it's those that count them that matter if you get my drift
It's not the people who vote it's those that count them that matter if you get my drift juanbbien

10:35am Thu 15 Nov 12

mavrick says...

Whilst I agree that the old boys network that has existed in the police for years needs to be broken up, I don't believe this is the way to do it or to achieve better policing all round.
Whilst I agree that the old boys network that has existed in the police for years needs to be broken up, I don't believe this is the way to do it or to achieve better policing all round. mavrick

10:51am Thu 15 Nov 12

Old Alzheimer says...

I regard the whole business as a preparation for Regional Commissars when
we are finally hearded into the EUSSR by our deceitful MPs.
I regard the whole business as a preparation for Regional Commissars when we are finally hearded into the EUSSR by our deceitful MPs. Old Alzheimer

12:55pm Thu 15 Nov 12

shytalk says...

Jobs for the boys and politicalisation of the plod....
Jobs for the boys and politicalisation of the plod.... shytalk

5:48pm Thu 15 Nov 12

Plasticbertrand says...

I haven't clue where my polling station is.
I haven't clue where my polling station is. Plasticbertrand

7:10pm Thu 15 Nov 12

ste.g says...

its not meant to be political.yet last night in the Johnson st area cars with loud speakers,labour signs on the side,and a voice in urdu telling everyone to vote????

ell i for one wont be voting i agree with darrener.its a farce and a waste of resources.
we the public weren't even consulted to see if its what we want..and we haven't been given any information all i have had is a polling card and for the first time i ill not be using it.
leave policing to the police and keep politics out of it...

end of frustrated rant
its not meant to be political.yet last night in the Johnson st area cars with loud speakers,labour signs on the side,and a voice in urdu telling everyone to vote???? ell i for one wont be voting i agree with darrener.its a farce and a waste of resources. we the public weren't even consulted to see if its what we want..and we haven't been given any information all i have had is a polling card and for the first time i ill not be using it. leave policing to the police and keep politics out of it... end of frustrated rant ste.g

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree