Thousands of residents visited polling stations across the district yesterday to have their say on Hertfordshire’s first police and crime commissioner.

In total 17,435 people cast a vote in the district’s 71 polling stations.

The figure represents 16.4% of the district’s population, the third highest turnout in the county.

Stevenage had the highest turnout in Hertfordshire with 20.1%.

The overall turnout for the county was 14.5%.

Counting starts at 11am this morning and the first round of results are expected at about 2pm this afternoon.

Voters had the choice between four candidates from different political parties.

Sherma Batson ran on behalf of the Labour Party.

The Conservatives put David Lloyd forward as their candidate.

Christopher Townsend stood for the Liberal Democrats.

Marion Mason is the candidate for UKIP.