West Midlands PCC election result: Labour's Simon Foster retains position as he beats Tory rival

The Labour candidate beat his Conservative rival, Thomas Byrne, by more than 86,000 votes to secure a second term.

In total, Mr Foster attracted 327,844 votes compared to Mr Byrne's 241,827 to maintain Labour's 100 per cent record of winning the West Midlands PCC. Labour actually enjoyed a 4.5 per cent swing towards them in this year's contest.

Speaking after the result declaration in Birmingham, Mr Foster, who won a legal battle to fight Government efforts to scrap his PCC post, said: "The role of the PCC is as important as that of the (regional) mayor.

"That's why the West Midlands needs a democratically-elected and directly accountable PCC with their own democratic mandate. This is an election the Conservative government and its mayor did not want."

He also said: "I thank each and every single one of the people who have placed their faith and trust in me, by voting to re-elect me as their Police and Crime Commissioner.

“I fought and won a court battle, all the way to the Court of Appeal, so that the people of the West Midlands could decide for themselves who they wanted to represent them as their Police and Crime Commissioner.

“Today the people have made that decision and I now re-dedicate myself to representing the people of the West Midlands, holding West Midlands Police to account and continuing to rebuild community policing.

“My top priority will always be preventing, tackling and reducing crime – and justice, safety and security for all of the people and communities of the West Midlands.”

Mr Foster also thanked Labour Party staff and members.

"I've had a truly brilliant team," he said. "I cannot name you all but you know who you are.

"The only honour and privilige greater than being elected by our fellow citizens is to be re-elected by your fellow citizens."

Full West Midlands PCC election results

Birmingham

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 77,798

Simon Foster, Labour - 125,631

Coventry

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 24,989

Simon Foster, Labour - 43,014

Dudley

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 37,434

Simon Foster, Labour - 35,506

Sandwell

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 20,846

Simon Foster, Labour - 42,396

Solihull

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 33,159

Simon Foster, Labour - 21,184

Walsall

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 26,738

Simon Foster, Labour - 28,141

Wolverhampton

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 20,863

Simon Foster, Labour - 31,972

Total

Thomas Byrne, Conservative - 241,827

Simon Foster, Labour - 327,844

Turnout was 29.39 per cent.