New Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner to tackle all-night drinking

Conservative candidate Mr Mold fought off stiff competition from Labour’s Kevin McKeever to win at the count in Kettering.

He will take over from Adam Simmonds, who will leave office on Wednesday – and he can’t wait to get going.

He said: “I’m still in a bit of shock but I’m proud and humbled to be here.

“I’m a big admirer of the force and the work they do.

“We have got some serious issues in Northamptonshire that we have got to deal with.

“It’s about public accountability, we are there to look after the public and not our mates.

“The police take a lot of flak, so how much better is it that I can come in and say that they are doing a really good job?”

Mr Mold gained the most votes in five of the seven wards in the initial round of voting, losing only Corby and Northampton to McKeever.

Violent crime increased during Mr Simmonds’ reign, and it is an area that the new PCC is targeting.

He said: “Alcohol-fuelled crime is a real issue.

“Do we need the all-night drinking culture that we currently have?

“I want to get the heads of licensing in a room and discuss that.

“I want to make sure that we do some really serious work on preventing it.”

He will now become the first PCC to serve a full term after Mr Simmonds was elected in November 2012.

He added: “I would like to serve two terms if I got the chance.

“There are a lot of things I want to see through.”