Mahmood to scrap police and crime commissioners

'Failed experiment': the home secretary plans to abolish the roles in 2028 (PA)

- HOLLY BANCROFT

Police and crime commissioners (PCCs) across England and Wales are to be abolished in a bid to save tens of millions of pounds. Ministers have declared the roles to be a “failed experiment” that has cost too much money and which the public are mostly unaware of.

First established in 2012 by Theresa May, these elected officials are currently responsible for setting police force budgets and appointing chief constables in their respective areas. They were set up as part of efforts to increase accountability and standards of police forces, but critics have said they were ineffective.

Ministers intend to scrap the positions in 2028, coinciding with the next scheduled elections, a move projected to save at least £100m, which will be redirected to neighbourhood policing. Their duties concerning policing arrangements will instead be absorbed by mayors and local council leaders.