Voter turnout rose significantly in the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner elections this year.

239,935 people cast their ballots yesterday to decide who will hold their police chief constable to account.

The turnout of 28.07 per cent is a massive increase on the first PCC election in 2012, when just 15.36 per cent of the Surrey electorate cast their vote. Nationally, just 15.1 per cent of voters turned out that year– the lowest voter turnout in British peacetime history.

Local elections were held in Reigate & Banstead, Woking, Elmbridge, Tandridge, and Runnymede on the same day as the PCC elections (Thursday, May 5).

In these six districts and boroughs, turnouts were significantly higher than the county-wide average of 28.07 per cent.

The PCC oversees Surrey Police’s strategy and budget and holds the force’s chief constable to account.

The PCC delivers a police and crime plan and creates a link between the police and the public they serve.

The plan is shaped by the public and prioritises a zero-tolerance approach to policing, more visible street policing, putting victims at the centre of the criminal justice system and encouraging public feedback.

The role was created in 2012. As the commissioner serves four-year terms, PCCs face their first re-election this year.

The full list of candidates is:

• Jamie GOLDRICK – Independent

• Kevin Barry HURLEY - Zero Tolerance Policing ex Chief

• Camille Vannassche Weldon JULIFF - Independent

• Howard James KAYE – Labour Party

• Paul KENNEDY – Liberal Democrats

• David John MUNRO – Conservative Party Candidate

• Julia Florence SEARLE – UKIP

The polls have now closed after voting yesterday.

Surrey Comet:

Complete turnout figures were as follows:

County-wide

Number of ballot papers verified - 239,935

Electorate - 854,648

Turnout - 28.07 per cent

Elmbridge

Number of ballot papers verified – 36,402

Electorate – 99,723

Turnout – 36.5 per cent

Epsom and Ewell

Number of ballot papers verified – 9,744

Electorate – 56,939

Turnout – 17.1 per cent

Guildford

Number of ballot papers verified – 21,892

Electorate – 102,851

Turnout – 21.29 per cent

Mole Valley

Number of ballot papers verified – 24,530

Electorate – 66,326

Turnout – 36.9 per cent

Reigate and Banstead

Number of ballot papers verified – 33,887

Electorate – 104,621

Turnout – 38 per cent

Runnymede

Number of ballot papers verified – 17,443

Electorate – 58,899

Turnout – 32.4 per cent

Spelthorne

Number of ballot papers verified – 15,216

Electorate – 73,643

Turnout – 20.7 per cent

Surrey Heath

Number of ballot papers verified – 11,664

Electorate – 65,139

Turnout – 17.9 per cent

Tandridge

Number of ballot papers verified – 21,989

Electorate – 62,633

Turnout – 35.1 per cent

Waverley

Number of ballot papers verified – 19,359

Electorate – 91,017

Turnout – 21.27 per cent

Woking

Number of ballot papers verified – 27,809

Electorate – 72,857

Turnout – 38 per cent

@craig_ep total apathy from E&E again. Same from the candidates though with nothing through our door from any of them. Could try harder