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Gwent’s new police and crime commissioner has vowed to serve “without fear or favour” after being officially sworn into the role.

Labour’s Jane Mudd won last week’s election and in doing so, becomes the first woman to serve as police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Gwent.

She succeeds Jeff Cuthbert, also Labour, who has retired after eight years as PCC.

Ms Mudd, who intends to step down as leader of Newport Council following her election, took the PCC’s Oath of Office during a ceremony at Gwent Police’s headquarters on Wednesday May 8.

She said: “I am hugely proud to be the first woman elected as police and crime commissioner for Gwent and I want to reassure all residents across Gwent’s five counties that I will work hard and do my absolute best for you throughout my term in office.

“My immediate priority now is to spend time getting to know my team and to start speaking to residents and visiting communities to further understand what really matters to the people of Gwent.”

Ms Mudd praised her predecessor, Mr Cuthbert, for his “dedication to the communities of Gwent for the last eight years, and for laying firm foundations on which we can build”.

One of the tasks facing Ms Mudd is appointing the force’s new chief constable, with Pam Kelly having announced her intention to step down later this year.

The new PCC was elected with 28,476 votes across Gwent, ahead of Conservative candidate Hannah Jarvis, who came second with 21,919 votes.

Hengoed councillor Donna Cushing received 9,864 votes standing for Plaid Cymru, while Liberal Democrat Mike Hamilton had 8,078 votes.

Across Gwent, voter turnout was low at 15.63% – with 787 spoilt ballots.