A former detective has become the first Reform UK candidate to be elected as a police and crime commissioner.
Colin Sutton, who led several high profile murder investigations during his 30-year-career, was confirmed as the new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Norfolk on Friday after 32,647 people voted for him.
Sutton won with a majority of 14,299 with the Conservative party candidate, Matthew Taylor, in second place.
The by-election was held following the resignation of Sarah Taylor, who was elected as a Labour Party commissioner until she quit the party and became an independent in protest at the role being scrapped. Voter turnout was 17%.
Reform UK does already have a PCC as Rupert Matthews was elected as a Tory candidate, before later switching parties.
Speaking on the stage after his victory was announced, Sutton said he would “repay the trust the people of Norfolk have put in him” and he would “get to work on Monday”.
“I’m overjoyed. Policing has been my life and it is the best job. I believe I can make a difference and make things better,” he said.
This is expected to be the final police and crime commissioner election held, unless anyone else steps down or leaves the role by other means.
Police and crime commissioners will be abolished as part of plans to devolve powers to Norfolk and Suffolk and create a mayorship covering the two counties.
Sutton is best known for leading the investigation into Levi Bellfield, the serial killer convicted for the murders of Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amélie Delagrange.
After retiring in 2011, he moved to Norfolk but continued to appear in the media.
Prior to the election he said he wanted “more focus” on rural crime, claiming priorities were “too focused on our city and towns”.
