Police and crime commissioners to be scrapped

The abolition of the role is expected to save around £100 million, at least £20 million of which will will be reinvested every year as a result of efficiencies in police governance, enough for 320 constables, the Home Office said.

Since 2012, PCCs have been elected to hold forces to account, but turnout at the polls and public knowledge of who their local PCC is has been incredibly low.

Public understanding of, and engagement with, PCCs remains low despite efforts to raise their profile. Two in five people are unaware PCCs even exist.

Their roles will be absorbed by regional mayors wherever possible, meaning measures to cut crime will be considered as part of wider public services such as education and healthcare.

In areas not covered by a mayor, this role will be taken on by elected council leaders. The unique circumstances of devolved local government arrangements in Wales will be taken into consideration. The government will ensure there is continuity of the support services for victims and witnesses that are currently provided by PCCs.

The transition to the new model will happen at the end of the next electoral cycle in 2028.

The move comes as part of a major series of reforms to policing to raise national standards within the police, strengthen performance management and end the postcode lottery in crime outcome. The upcoming Police Reform White Paper will set out further powers to improve standards, while restoring local neighbourhood policing.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The introduction of PCCs by the last government was a failed experiment. I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.

“I would like to recognise the efforts of all current and former PCCs, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms.”

Today’s announcement comes ahead of the Autumn Budget, which will focus on cutting NHS waiting lists, cutting the national debt and cutting the cost of living, and driving more productive and efficient use of taxpayers’ money by rooting out waste in public services.

Other key measures already announced by the Government that will be in the White Paper include a new National Centre of Policing, which will make the best use of taxpayer money by bringing together crucial support services such as IT and forensics, and a Police Performance Unit to drive up standards. More detail on these, and a raft of other measures, will be announced for its publication.

Reacting to the announcement, PFEW national chair Tiff Lynch said: “We welcome this announcement and look forward to helping shape whatever accountability structures replace directly-elected PCCs. PCCs were an expensive experiment which has failed.

“The tens of millions of pounds they cost should instead be a down-payment for the sort of policing service this country and its police officers deserve – one with enough officers, with experienced police officers who can afford to keep doing the job, and where officers facing immense stress are properly supported when they put their lives and bodies on the line to protect all of us. The forthcoming Police Reform White Paper is a chance for this government to show it is serious about all of this.”

Association of Police and Crime Commissioners chair Emily Spurrell, the PCC for Merseyside, said: “On behalf of our communities we are deeply disappointed by this decision and the lack of engagement with us.

“For more than a decade, directly elected PCCs have transformed policing accountability and delivered essential support services for victims of crime. Having a single, visible local leader – answerable to the public – has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing delivers on the issues that matter most to local communities.

“Abolishing PCCs now, without any consultation, as policing faces a crisis of public trust and confidence and as it is about to be handed a much stronger national centre, risks creating a dangerous accountability vacuum.

“Many of today’s flagship government missions – supporting victims, working with local partners to prevent crime, tackling violence against women and girls – originated with and are delivered by PCCs, reflecting the priorities of our communities.

“Whatever follows in our place must be rooted in local and national accountability, clear and identifiable leadership and connected to local communities. The public deserve nothing less.”

She added: “PCCs have worked hand-in-hand with the Home Office and operational policing to shape a police service fit for the future and confront policing’s biggest challenges. We remain committed to ensuring that public accountability remains at the heart of police reform.”

Unison national officer for police, Ben Priestley, said: “This is a significant change to the way police forces are held to account.

“Staff working within commissioners’ offices will be understandably concerned and need assurances about their futures.

“It’s important the Home Office works closely with unions as plans take shape.

“Strong local oversight of policing remains essential. Local government must be given the resources needed to make this work too.”

The Home Office’s announcement attracted widespread condemnation from PCCs.

Rupert Matthews, PCC for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said it was “a dark day for the concept of policing by consent”.

“We are seeing yet another proposal from a government in free-fall,” he said. “There has been no consultation, there is no clarity in today’s announcement, just a last minute dot com idea produced on the back of the proverbial cigarette packet.

“It is a retrograde step that will see policing becoming increasingly detached from the public it is there to serve and will merely encourage the two-tier policing that is so destructive to cohesive communities.

“However, I’m sure that it will be a very popular move with chief constables who have never liked the level of public scrutiny provided by PCCs. They would much rather run their police forces and spend taxpayers’ money without any oversight.

“I wait to hear how the public’s priorities will be taken into account, and indeed, how the force’s performance will be measured.”

Joy Allen, PCC for Durham, said: “This is yet another ill-thought through proposal from a government that has consistently demonstrated its complete lack of understanding of policing and community safety.

“Abolishing PCCs would remove the public’s only direct say in policing governance. It is PCCs who have ensured that ASB and road safety are policing priorities, because this is what the public wants. It is the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner which has worked tirelessly on the PCC’s priorities for the benefit of local people and there is absolutely no acknowledgement of that in the government’s statement.

“There has been no consultation, no discussion and clearly very little coherent thought. Replacing PCCs with an appointed Board, whatever name it is eventually given, is merely a return to the invisible and toothless Police Authorities.

“PCCs hold chief constables to account – directly – on behalf of the public. This is a major win for those who find this an uncomfortable position. These proposals will replace a clear line of accountability with fragmented, multi-tiered structures and undermine public confidence at a time when trust in policing requires strengthening, not upheaval.”

Warwickshire PCC Philip Seccombe said: “The announcement to abolish PCCs is deeply disappointing and can only make policing less accountable and more remote from the communities it serves. The Government offers very little detail on what comes next or why this would represent a step forward. I think it is outrageous that a decision of this magnitude has been imposed with no consultation or public engagement- as PCCs we were given just 90 minutes’ notice before it became public.

“The justification offered – that PCCs have a small electoral mandate – ignores the reality that turnout for PCC elections is now broadly comparable to local authority and mayoral elections. To base such a significant change on outdated arguments is extremely disappointing.

“Since the role was introduced, PCCs have transformed the way policing is governed with proper scrutiny to ensure that community priorities are addressed, as well as strengthening local partnerships and delivering improved support for victims of crime. These achievements risk being undone by a return to a more distant committee model or a remote deputy mayor that lacks accountability and visibility. I fail to see how either model will replicate the level of focus and accountability offered by PCCs.”

He added: “In Warwickshire, my office has built considerable expertise and delivered outstanding results, including securing the funding to commissioning services for victims worth around £2.8 million each year. During my tenure, officer numbers have grown from around 800 in 2016 to 1,140 today, responding to one of the key concerns of local people. I have introduced a Police and Crime Plan shaped by local priorities and invested heavily in technology to support the force – all achieved despite the biggest reductions in central government funding per head of population in England and Wales.

“It feels like a kick in the teeth to see that swept away based on spurious justifications. It undervalues the work PCCs do and the difference we make to community safety. I am also concerned what this decision means for the future of the hard-working staff of my office and I will be working hard to get more answers from the Government.”

Lancashire’s PCC Clive Grunshaw said: “Today’s announcement reinforces the vital need for a mayor to represent Lancashire both regionally and nationally on policing and crime, championing investment and securing the best possible outcomes for our county.

“Having a single, local representative answerable to the public has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing delivers on the issues that matter most to local communities.

“Whilst I am disappointed by today’s announcement, I want to reassure the people of Lancashire that I remain fully committed to being their voice in policing, and to holding Lancashire Constabulary accountable for delivering the high-quality service our communities expect and deserve.

“The day-to-day work of my Office, in partnership with Lancashire Constabulary and our Criminal Justice partners, will continue to drive forward my Police and Crime Plan. This includes preventing violence against women and girls, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and providing dedicated support services for victims of crime.

“I’m pleased the work of my Office, and PCCs across the county, have been recognised and commended.

“I remain in active discussions with local government partners about reorganisation and the move to a mayoral model in Lancashire. Whatever changes come next, public accountability must remain at the heart of police reform, with clear, identifiable leadership that is firmly connected to local communities, helping to keep people safe.”

Derbyshire PCC Nicolle Ndiweni-Roberts said: “Today’s announcement was no big surprise. In Derbyshire we have long been aware that in 2028, the public will have an appointed deputy mayor to undertake the functions currently carried out by the PCC.

“My focus remains on ensuring that process is as smooth as possible for both our staff and our communities.

“It’s important that residents and businesses are aware that I will continue to work tirelessly on their behalf, delivering their priorities through my Police and Crime Plan and setting a budget in line with the mandate set. My office will continue to work with the Force to run an effective and efficient service, whilst holding the chief constable to account on behalf of the public.”