The Conservative's Tim Passmore secured his second term as Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner, it was confirmed this afternoon.

Mr Passmore polled 57,167 votes in the first round of the election, with Cath Pickles securing 32,268.

But because this was below 50% of the overall votes cast, the second choice votes for the two leading candidates were counted.

UKIP's Simon Tobin came in third with 22,094 votes, Helen Korfanty for the Liberal Democrats came fourth with 11,726 and Green party candidate Terence Carter had 7,501 votes.

Adding the second choice votes to the count, Mr Passmore totalled 68,093 votes while his Labour rival achieved 41,631.

Following his re-election, Mr Passmore said it was 'fantastic and deeply humbling.'

A similar situation emerged last time with Jane Basham beating Mr Passmore in the first round, but Mr Passmore won with the help of the second choice votes.

Less than a quarter of people eligible to vote have decided on who the police and crime and commissioner in Suffolk will be, it has been announced.

The turn out, at 24.47%, is a marked improvement on the first and only PCC election. In November 2012 only 16.01% went to vote.

The district with the highest percentage of voters was Ipswich – 32.85% of the electorate took part in the vote.

Forest Heath had the worst turnout – with only 19.21% of those eligible to vote making their preferences heard.

Stephen Baker, Suffolk Police Area Returning Officer, said: 'It's great to see an increased turnout in these elections.

'I would like to say a big thanks to everyone who has worked so hard across Suffolk in supporting these elections and to all who have helped it run so smoothly.'