The system of police and crime commissioners will be abolished, the Government is set to announce.
The system of police and crime commissioners will be abolished in the biggest shake-up in police for years.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the Tories’ introduction of PCCs was a “failed experiment” as she set out plans to make local police forces accountable to mayors.
PCCs, who are elected officials, were introduced in 2012 by then Home Secretary Theresa May. They are responsible for setting budgets for their police forces and appointing the most senior officer – the chief constable – for their area.
In a statement to the Commons on Thursday, Home Office minister Sarah Jones said the PCC model has “weakened local police accountability and has had perverse impacts on the recruitment of chief constables”. “The Theresa May model has not worked,” she told MPs.
Ms Jones told MPs: “I can therefore announce today that we will abolish Police and Crime Commissioners at the end of their current term in 2028 and transfer functions to mayors wherever possible in areas where plans do not yet allow for a transfer of policing to a mayor, this parliament. We will establish new policing and crime boards to bring council leaders together to oversee the police force in that area.
“Preventing crime is everyone’s business and giving local leaders these responsibilities will help create thriving town centres, help businesses to succeed, and help people to walk without fear in their communities.”
She stressed that the decision was not based on any shortcomings of the PCC model, not the PCCs themselves.
Over the last decade, Labour has called for PCCs to be abolished, with the savings put into front-line policing. Ms Jones said a Police Reform white paper detailing the Government’s agenda on policing will be published before the end of the year.
The Home Office today said axing PCCs – from 2028 at the of the next electoral cycle – will save the taxpayer at least £100million and help to fund frontline officers.
But the chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners said abolishing the elected officials responsible for local police forces “risks creating a dangerous accountability vacuum”. Emily Spurrell, who is Police and Crime Commissioner (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 Police and Crime Commissioners 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.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “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 Police and Crime Commissioners, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms.”