The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is to be abolished in a move the Government says will save the taxpayer at least £100 million. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced the scrapping of the role which was introduced in 2012.
The role was initially introduced in an effort to increase accountability in police forces by having a directly elected individual as a figurehead. PCCs have a number of responsibilities including appointing and holding to account chief constables and responding to local people’s concerns.
Despite efforts, thirteen years after the role was introduced, the level of public knowledge and interest into the role remains low. In the most recent Humberside PCC election, just 17% of voters turned out to elect the Conservative Party candidate Jonathan Evison.
The roles will not be axed immediately. 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 with the Government hoping 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.
Ms Mahmood, who became Home Secretary in September, having taken over from Yvette Cooper, has claimed: “The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.” She has added: “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.”
Some parts of the country already do not have PCCs. In areas where the boundaries of the local police force and the region’s Combined Authority align, the responsibilities of the PCC is simply undertaken by the Mayor. This is the case in Greater Manchester where Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have the same boundaries. As a result, Andy Burnham does the work of a PCC as well as his Mayoral duties.
This is also the case for Tracy Brabin in West Yorkshire who on a trip to Hull in Decmber 2024, warned that areas without this arrangement will not get the “best bang for your buck” when it comes to devolution. Ms Brabin made the comments in the context of the introduction of both the Hull and East Yorkshire and the Greater Lincolnshire Combined Authorities.
Since being elected in May, neither Luke Campbell nor Dame Andrea Jenkyns have taken any PCC responsibilities because the boundaries of the local police forces and Combined Authorities are completely mismatched. Whilst Humberside Police spans both banks of the Humber, much of Dame Andrea’s region is under the jurisdiction of Lincolnshire Police.
Responding to the Home Secretary’s announcement, the Humberside PCC, Mr Evison has said: “While the announcement signals the end of the PCC role, our commitment to public safety remains unchanged. Until 2028, we will continue to deliver on our Police and Crime Plan, hold the Chief Constable to account, and ensure that the voices of our communities are heard. We will work closely with government and local leaders to guarantee a smooth transition that strengthens policing and keeps people safe.
“Importantly, I want to reassure victims of crime that service provision and support will remain at the highest standards throughout this transition. I want to reassure the public that business will continue as usual during this transition. All core services, including emergency response, crime investigation, victim support, and community safety initiatives, will remain fully operational. Our teams are committed to maintaining high standards of service delivery, and there will be no disruption to policing or public safety.”
