TIDWORTH, UNITED KINGDOM - NOVEMBER 16:  Prime Minister David Cameron meets injured soldiers and their families at Tedworth House, a Help for Heroes recovery centre, on November 16, 2012 in Tidworth, England. (Photo by Steve Parsons - WPA Pool /

Blow ... British Prime Minister David Cameron. Photo: Getty Images

The British Prime Minister, David Cameron, suffered a humiliating blow when his plans to democratise the police were met by overwhelming voter indifference.

The lowest ever turnout in a national poll is threatening to undermine the new elected commissioners' legitimacy. Many of the powerful police and crime commissioners for the 41 forces across England and Wales outside London were elected by only 7 per cent of those eligible to vote, with turnout averaging 15 per cent - below the previous 24 per cent low recorded in the 1999 European elections. At one polling station, in Newport, Gwent, no voters turned up at all on Thursday.

The Electoral Commission has ordered an inquiry into Friday's £75 million ($115 million) washout, saying that the low turnout was ''a concern for everyone who cares for democracy''.

GN&M