THE Conservatives swept the board in East Hampshire last week as voters took to the polls to appoint Hampshire’s new police and crime commissioner and to take part in local by-elections.

Coming out ahead of the field to uphold the ‘thin blue line’ and become Hampshire’s second crime commissioner was Conservative candidate Michael Lane.

After the first preference votes were counted, Mr Lane and Labour’s Robin Price were ahead but neither had enough to be declared outright winner. As a result, the second preference votes from those who voted for the five other candidates were counted.

Mr Lane won 40,273 second preference votes and Robin Price won 23,997, meaning the overall winner was Mr Lane, by a count of 153,990 to 87,744.

In total, there were 415,355 votes cast across the two counties (Hampshire and Isle of Wight), with a turnout was 29 per cent, up from 15 per cent in 2012.

The previous commissioner, independent Simon Hayes, did not make the second round, receiving 60,743 votes.

Greatham resident and independent candidate Don Jerrard received 14,976 votes.

Upon the announcement that he had won, Mr Lane said: “I appreciate the voters’ trust in me and promise everyone that I will dedicate myself to the role. While I will take the role of scrutiny of the force seriously, I admire the chief constable and officers as dedicated professionals.

“I would also like to thank the outgoing commissioner Simon Hayes for setting up the office and the great care he has shown for residents of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.”

Michael Lane is from Gosport and has previously served in the Royal Navy and as a borough councillor. The priorities in his manifesto include protecting and improving front-line policing, tackling domestic abuse, putting victims at the heart of the criminal justice system, and creating strong partnerships.

He was due to take the oath of office and formally start his new role yesterday (Thursday).

The Tories scored equally well in the by-elections with Floss Mitchell taking home 51 per cent of the votes to secure Ferris Cowper’s former seat on Hampshire County Council. While Mr Cowper remains as leader of East Hampshire District Council, he resigned from the county council, leaving the Grayshott, Liphook and Headley division seat up for grabs.

Liberal Democrat Trevor Maroney came second with 31 per cent of the vote, and last place with 18 per cent was Peter Baillie, representing UKIP.

Hampshire County Council also saw another new member elected, with Conservative Party candidate Christopher Matthews taking the Fareham Town division.

Following her win, a proud Mrs Mitchell said that running for the county council seat had been an “exhilarating experience”.

“It was hugely enjoyable to meet so many community-minded and passionate people on the door step and at the events I attended,” she said.

“I look forward to raising the concerns that residents have already brought to my attention to colleagues at Hampshire County Council.”

For voters in Petersfield there was an opportunity also to fill a vacant seat on the St Mary’s Ward of Petersfield Town Council.

This was won by Conservative David Paul Holdaway, with 193 votes, ahead of Julie Yardley (Green Party) with 107 votes, Bill Organ (Labour) with 86 votes, and Rupert David Sayer (Independent) with 32 votes. The turnout was 31 per cent.

Meanwhile, for residents living in the villages of Bentley and Four Marks and Medstead, the election provided an opportunity to vote in the referendum to endorse their respective neighbourhood plans.

The neighbourhood plans were compiled by local people and will now be used to help guide the planning decisions made by East Hampshire District Council over the next 15 years.

Bentley Neighbourhood Plan was voted in with 279 voting in favour of the plan and 27 against. A total of 310 votes were cast.

The Four Marks and Medstead plan received 2001 votes, with 140 against. A total of 2,148 votes were cast.