DAVID Keane has been elected as the new police and crime commissioner for Cheshire.

The Labour candidate will formally take up the role on Thursday.

He said: "I am honoured to have been chosen by the people of Cheshire to be the next police and crime commissioner.

"I was elected on three clear pledges I made to the Cheshire people – to deliver real neighbourhood policing; to back our police officers and get them back on the streets fighting crime and keeping us safe; and to focus on the delivery of your priorities to deliver a police service you can be proud of."

Mr Keane added: "I look forward to working with the chief constable to deliver for the people of Cheshire to make it one of the safest areas to live in the country."

Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "I'd like to congratulate David Keane on his election to the post of police and crime Commissioner.

"I look forward to getting to know Mr. Keane, and working with him to deliver his Police and Crime Plan and maintaining the momentum of preventing crime and keeping criminals on the back foot."