The second elections for police and crime commissioners are being held, with scrutiny set to fall on the turnout following record low participation in the first polls in 2012.

PCCs will be elected in 40 police force areas in England and Wales, amid continuing concerns about the understanding and awareness of their role.

Just 15.1% of registered voters took part in the first elections in November 2012. This was the lowest recorded level of participation at a peacetime non-government election in Britain.

At the weekend Theresa May appealed to the public to vote in the elections, telling the Press Association PCCs "are not like other politicians".

The Home Secretary said: "They have the power to hire and fire chief constables, control the police force's multimillion-pound budget, and set local priorities for policing and crime."

Mrs May, who oversaw the introduction of PCCs to replace the previous model of police authorities, urged people to "make their vote count".

Earlier this year, she set out her vision for the next group of PCCs, indicating they could help set up free schools aimed at preventing children from falling into a life of crime, as well as playing a role in youth justice, probation and courts.

It followed proposals to allow PCCs to take on responsibilities for fire and rescue services in their local area, while they are also set to play a greater role in the handling of complaints.

However, surveys have suggested a lack of awareness about the commissioners and their work.

A poll for the Electoral Reform Society published this weekend found that nearly nine in 10 people (89%) said they could not name their local PCC.