BREAKING: Labour candidate wins South Yorks crime tsar by-election
Rev Dr Alan Billings secured 74,060 votes across the county, with UKIP candidate Jack Clarkson in second place with 46,883 votes.
The winner was announced at a count in Barnsley this afternoon and based on first preference votes only.
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Hide AdRev Dr Billings, who had a majority of 50.2 per cent, said there had been a ‘dismal’ turnout.
Figures confirmed slightly fewer voters went to the ballot box than did at the last PCC election in 2012, with only 14.88 per cent of a one million electorate marking their X.
The by-election was called after former Labour PCC Shaun Wright stood down in the wake of the Rotherham sex abuse scandal.
Rev Dr Alan Billings said: “First we must tackle the child sexual exploitation scandal in Rotherham.
“Victims must supported, offenders brought to justice and those who turned a blind eye must be held to account and punished.”
See tomorrow’s Star for the full story.