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The Labour Party has selected the three candidates who will fight the North East Police and Crime Commissioner elections next year.

Jeremy Corbyn’s party has decided to stick with the three current post-holders in Northumbria Police’s Vera Baird in Northumbria, Durham’s Ron Hogg and Cleveland’s Barry Coppinger to run for election on Thursday May 5.

The 2012 elections were noted for an extremely low turnout (15.1% nationally) and further devolution to the region could see blue light services brought under regional control.

The announcement follows a vote by Constituency Labour Parties and organisations affiliated to the Labour Party in each of the police force areas.

Vera Baird said: “I am delighted to have been reselected as the Labour candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner and I reaffirm my commitment to the people of Northumbria. It has been an immense privilege to be the Police Commissioner since I was elected in 2012.

“Northumbria Police are an excellent force, always in the top one two or three when police nationwide are being assessed. They are popular, highly motivated and determined to deliver top quality service.

“It is an honour to work alongside them and to have had the support of partners in local government and the voluntary and community sector to pursue my Police and Crime Plan aims of putting victims first, tackling domestic and sexual abuse, and anti-social behaviour, increasing community confidence and reducing crime. I look forward to further work with all of these excellent local organisations to make sure that in Northumbria we continue to be ahead of the game.

“Budget pressures remain a challenge despite the Conservative Chancellor’s recent announcements which did not tell the full story. The Chief Constable and I put neighbourhood policing first and I will continue to do my best to protect it despite government funding cuts.

“I will continue to visit local groups, businesses and residents across the force area - to ensure that we continue working together to ensure policing continues to meet the needs of communities across Northumbria.”

(Image: John Giles/PA Wire)

Ron Hogg added: “I am proud and delighted to have been re-selected as Labour’s candidate in County Durham & Darlington. I would like give a big thank you to everyone who has supported me, now the hard work begins.”

Barry Coppinger said: “There is much work to do and I welcome the opportunity to ask the public to support this vital work to keep our communities safe, going forward. I have always stood up for people locally and nationally and will continue to do so.”

Andy Burnham MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, said: “Under David Cameron, over 1500 police officers have been lost in the North East since 2010. Labour Police & Crime Commissioners have been at forefront of our campaign to stop the Tories cutting police funding further.

“In Vera, Ron and Barry the region has Police & Crime Commissioners dedicated to protecting front-line policing with a proven track-record in fighting for their communities. I look forward to campaigning alongside them in Labour’s campaign for May’s election.”