Polling for police chief at Clevedon RESULT

North Somerset mum and former magistrate Sue Mountstevens is the newly-elected Avon and Somerset's first police and crime commissioner (PCC).

The independent candidate recorded a landslide election victory, defeating her closest rival Conservative Ken Maddock by almost 60,000 votes.

But turnout in North Somerset was only 16.01 per cent - one of the lowest in the country.

In her acceptance speech, the mother-of-thre said she would focus her efforts on combating anti-social behaviour, burglary and violence against women and girls.

Mrs Mountstevens, 57, who was a director of her family's bakery business for more than 20 years, believed she prospered as an independent candidate as politics had no place in policing.

She said: "No one wanted party politics – they do not mix with policing. 

"That's why independents are winning."

Mrs Mountstevens, who also saw off competition from Lib Dem Pete Levy and Labour candidate John Savage said she had the experience required for the role, which will replace the now-defunct police authority. 

She now has the power to set the force's budget and hold the chief constable to account.

Voters went to the polls to choose Avon and Somerset police's first PCC on Thursday, as electors across the country casted their votes for commissioners in 40 other force areas.

But turn-out was low, with just 19.58 per cent of the electorate turning out to polling booths in Avon and Somerset. 

The best turnout (27.48 per cent) came in Bristol, where voters were also choosing the city's elected mayor. 

In Bath and North East Somerset it was 15.95 per cent while a turnout of 18.26 per cent was recorded in South Gloucestershire.