Police role row ahead of elections

SHOULD the North's elected mayors - whose main job is growing the local economy - also have the power to oversee their police force and set their budget?

- ROB PARSONS

In Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire the powers of the police and crime commissioner (PCC) have been handed over to the regional mayor with little controversy in recent years. But in South Yorkshire the same move has led to anger and confusion.

When Labour mayor Oliver Coppard bids for re-election on May 2, whoever wins will also take on the functions of South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner (most likely through a deputy mayor for policing).

But the process of transferring the powers currently held by South Yorkshire PCC Alan Billings has been thrown into confusion after the High Court ruled the same move in the West Midlands was "unlawful" due to a lack of information in the public consultation.