Police and Crime Commissioners Scrapped in England and Wales: A "Failed Experiment" Ends
The government has announced that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales are to be scrapped, bringing an end to the system introduced 12 years ago by former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron. The Home Office justified the decision by calling the PCC model a "failed experiment," citing low public awareness and a need to save money.
£100 Million Saving and New Structure
The decision is projected to save £100 million over the current parliament. This saving is earmarked to fund an extra £20 million in front-line policing every year, which the Home Office estimates is enough to employ 320 constables.
The 37 elected commissioner roles will transition to either elected mayors or council leaders when the PCCs' current terms conclude in 2028. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood stated that these reforms will ensure police are accountable to their local mayoralties or councils.
The Home Office noted that less than 20% of voters can name their PCC.
Policing minister Sarah Jones told the Commons that the model had "failed to live up to expectations" and "weakened local police accountability."
Under the new changes, the government intends for measures to cut crime to be "considered as part of wider public services," including education and healthcare, with a commitment to continue support services for victims and witnesses currently provided by PCCs.
The Role of a PCC
PCCs were created with the stated aim of making forces more accountable to the communities they serve. Their primary responsibilities include:
Setting an annual budget for their force.
Appointing and, if necessary, dismissing Chief Constables.
Producing a five-year policing plan.
Assessing the performance of their force against that plan.
However, the costs and overall effectiveness of the system have been a long-standing source of criticism. Minister Sarah Jones highlighted that the model had "perverse impacts on the recruitment of chief constables."
Mixed Reaction from Policing Bodies and Politicians
The announcement drew immediate and mixed reactions from across the political and policing spectrum:
PCCs Criticise Lack of Consultation: Emily Spurrell, the PCC for Merseyside and chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, expressed deep disappointment over the decision and the "lack of engagement." She argued that the role had "improved scrutiny and transparency," and that abolishing it now "risks creating a dangerous accountability vacuum."
Political Opposition: Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed the move as "tinkering around the edges" from a government he accused of failing on crime and policing, citing rising crimes like shoplifting.
Welcome from Police Federations: The Police Federation of England and Wales welcomed the announcement. Chairwoman Tiff Lynch argued that the "tens of millions of pounds" spent on PCCs should instead be used to fund the service with experienced police officers.
Support for New System: Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said the organisation could see the "potential for stronger, more integrated local leadership on community safety" where the new system "is done well."
The decision marks a significant overhaul of the police accountability structure in England and Wales, replacing a 12-year-old experiment with a system designed to integrate police oversight with existing local political structures.
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