Police and Crime Commissioner Election 2021

Joy Allen was duly elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for the Durham Police Area (which includes the Darlington area).

View the Certificate of Results [pdf document] for each stage of the Count, including the local results for Darlington.

On Thursday 6 May 2021, voters across the Borough went to the polls to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Durham Police area, which includes Darlington, for the next three years.  The election was delayed from 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The PCC oversees the running of local police services and holds the Chief Constable to account on behalf of local people. The role involves:

• Securing an efficient and effective police service within their area;
• Setting the local budget, and raising the local policing precept from Council Tax;
• Deciding what the key priorities should be for the police in their area, and publishing a Police and Crime Plan that reflects this;
• The appointment, suspension and dismissal of the Chief Constable;
• Publishing an Annual Report.

PCC's may stand for a political party, however, they are expected to represent all the people in their area impartially and are required to swear an 'Oath of Impartiality' before taking office.

The election was co-ordinated across County Durham by the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO), who is based at Durham County Council website, however local arrangements for Darlington were delegated to the local Election Team.