Turnout for the Police and Crime Commissioner election has dropped significantly, with only just over a fifth of eligible voters putting pen to paper.

A total of 308,607 votes were cast in the vote – equivalent to a 22.5 per cent turnout – as Alison Hernandez secured a third term in the role.

She gained a total of 131,764 votes. Her closest competitor Daniel Steel took 107,897 and Lib Dem candidate Steve Lodge had 64,790.

The turnout in 2021 when the last PCC election was held was 494,627 or 36.1 per cent of the electorate.

Mr Lodge said the lack of local council elections in Cornwall was a likely contributing factor to the lower turnout.

“We fully expected this,” he said.

“With no local elections in Cornwall, we expected a lower turnout.”

Before the results were announced, Mr Lodge said his aim was to increase his vote share, adding that his party has pledged to get rid of PCCs.

“The elections for PCCs across the country has cost £50 million, money that could be spent on front-line police officers,” he added.

After her win was confirmed, Ms Hernandez said: “I think it shows that when you focus on the things that are the people’s priority, people will come out and support you and say they’re on your side.

“Together, with taxpaying residents, we have done things as a team in Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.”

Luke Pollard, the Labour MP for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport, spoke before the result was confirmed, but after Labour gained a commissioner in neighbouring Avon and Somerset.

He said: “We’ve secured the PCC win in Avon and Somerset, with Clare Moody becoming the first Labour candidate to secure the position, and that’s down to the popularity of the party but also the unpopularity of the Conservatives.”

The PCC is responsible for holding the police force and its chief constable to account, decides how the area is policed and sets the budget.