AN independent candidate has been elected as the Gwent Police and Crime Commissioner, following last week's election.

Ian Johnston, a former police officer fended off Labour's Hamish Sandison in the second round of counting after the two other candidates' second preferences were taken into account.

Conservative Nick Webb gained 6,630 votes and independent Christopher Wright had 6,118, but both were eliminated after the first round of counting.

Mr Johnston received 29,748 votes in total after the second count, while Mr Sandison had 24,636 votes. The turnout in Gwent was just 14.3 percent.

Mr Johnston, who had previously served with Gwent Police for 33 years, will take over the Police Authority's role and among his responsibilities he will be able to appoint the chief constable and set Gwent Police's budget. Mr Johnston said his commitments would be to reduce crime and anti-social disorder; to find solutions to local problems; place a greater focus on the needs of victims rather than offenders and ensure core policing functions continued to be carried out by police rather than the private sector.

However Newport MP Paul Flynn warned that Gwent could be in danger of effectively having two chief constables. He said that it was mistake to elect a person who is part of the police community to keep an eye on the conduct of the police.

Cilla Davies, the chairman of the outgoing Gwent Police Authority said: "I congratulate Ian on his election and wish him the best for the future.

"Police Authority members and staff have worked hard over the years to represent the people of Gwent and ensure that police provided the best possible service.

"This responsibility will now be passed on to Mr Johnston as the new Police and Crime Commissioner and on behalf of the Police Authority we wish him well with this vitally important work.

"The role will no doubt be challenging but I believe we will be handing over a strong and positive legacy in the shape of a Police Force which is made up of very dedicated officers and staff who together are one of the best performing Police Forces in the UK."

Gwent Police Chief Constable Carmel Napier added: "The officers and staff of Gwent Police look forward to working closely with him as we get on with the work of cutting crime, protecting and reassuring our communities and meeting the challenges of economic austerity."

The final Gwent Police Authority meeting took place at Gwent Police Headquarters in Cwmbran yesterday, at which the authority was formally dissolved.

Powys elects Presteigne man

CHRISTOPHER Salmon has been elected as the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Dyfed Powys.

The role of Police and Crime Commissioner is a new position that will help members of the public to have their say on how to cut crime.

This means that the public will be able to vote for the priorities of the police and what the budget gets spent on.

Mr Salmon won the position with 32,887 votes, with his opponent Ms Christine Gwyther picking up 21,773.

Mr Salmon grew up on a family farm in Presteigne and is the eldest of four children. He studied Modern History and Economics at Oxford University before spending time in Russia.

On returning to the UK in 2002 he joined the Army and served as an officer in The Rifles in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Iraq, where he says he learnt a great deal about himself, about other people and about making difficult decisions in difficult circumstances.

His military career involved police-support, public order and counter-insurgency operations. He then left the army to pursue a career in politics.

Mr Salmon says that he wants to make Dyfed Powys the country's best rural police force and is a strong believer in common sense policing.

He promises that he will spend wisely and get all the equipment that is necessary for the job.

The opposition leader in the Welsh Government, Andrew Davies AM, congratulated Mr Salmon on his achievement and said: "Mr Salmon ran an excellent campaign and I congratulate him on his new role.

"This is a fantastic achievement for him and the Conservative Party as a whole."

Mr Davies thinks that the future for Mr Salmon and Powys is looking bright.

He added: "I know Mr Salmon will make an excellent police and crime commissioner, promising common sense policing, cutting red tape and bureaucracy and keeping patrolling officers on the streets.

"I look forward to working with him in the months and years to come."

Mr Salmon said he considered it 'a great privilege' to be elected and was extremely grateful for the trust people had placed in him.