PCC slams 'disgraceful' decision to abolish roles

SAYS REASONS 'DONT' STACK UP' AHEAD OF 2028 AXING

- By JOHN ROGAN

CLEVELAND Police and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey has hit out at the Government after it was confirmed the role will be abolished.

Police and crime commissioners in England and Wales will be scrapped by the Government in 2028 when the next elections are set to be held.

The Government say it will save at least £100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.

Instead, mayors and council leaders will take up the responsibilities of policing arrangements.

But in a strong statement, Labour PCC for Cleveland Mr Storey said the reasons for abolishing the role "just don't stack up".

He also said he was sceptical of the suggested financial savings of £100m.

Policing minister Sarah Jones announced the move in the Commons on Thursday, telling MPs that the model has shown little sign of improving confidence in policing.

She said less than a quarter of voters turned out to vote for them in the 2024 elections, and two in five people are "unaware PCCs even exist".

The minister added: "The reality is that the PCC model has weakened local police accountability and has had perverse impacts on the recruitment of chief constables.

"They have failed to inspire confidence in local people, in stark contrast to the mayoral model, which has clearly been ultimately more successful."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.