Ms Wools was deputy to her Labour predecessor, Alun Michael, who has stepped down.
Mr Michael was the winner of the first-ever election for Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales on 16 November 2012 and announced last year that he would not stand again.
She secured 73,128 votes, to the Conservatives 43,344, with Plaid Cymru on 27,410 and the Lib Dems 17,908. The turnout however was low for voting with only 16.58%, much lower than in the previous two police and crime commissioners elections in 2016 and 2021.
In the first police and crime commissioners election in 2012, when no other poll took place, the turnout was just 14.9% for the whole of Wales.
Ms Wools speaking after her victory said:
“It’s still sinking in but I feel incredibly honoured and proud and privileged that the people of south Wales have put their trust in me to deliver for them across south Wales.
“It is a powerful opportunity to create change, promote diversity and inclusion, and advocate for underrepresented communities, but it also comes with added pressure and higher expectations.”
