Voters go to the polls today to decide who should be the next police and crime commissioner for Kent.

Six candidates are in the frame for the £85,000 a year role which has been done by Ann Barnes since 2012.

The arguments about whether police commissioners are the right way to provide strategic governance of forces continue but the government has insisted they are here to stay.

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Home Secretary Theresa May said the concept had increased accountability.

Speaking on a visit to Maidstone last week, she said:

“It has turned out to be absolutely the right thing to do. What we see around the country is a much greater ability to recognise that there is somebody directly elected who is responsible for policing in their area and is a local voice.”

Despite this, there are concerns turnout could be low although most expect it will be higher than the 16% turnout in 2012.

Polls will be open across the county from 7am to 10pm but the result will be declared on Friday, with votes being counted at the main results centre in Dover.

The six candidates are: Henry Bolton (Ukip); Matthew Scott (Con); Tristan Osborne (Labour); David Naghi (Lib Dem); Gurvinder Sandher (Ind) and Steve Uncles (EDP).

Keep up to date with the results as they come through on Friday with www.kentonline.co.uk and follow our political editor Paul Francis @PaulOnPolitics on Twitter.