ALISON HERNANDEZ IS ALSO 'DOUBTFUL' OVER REASONING

DEVON and Cornwall's Police and Crime Commissioner has said she is 'shocked' by the decision to scrap PCC roles across England and Wales by 2028 - and said she is "doubtful" of the reasoning to give powers to local mayors and council leaders.

- By CARL EVE

The elected officials were first introduced in 2012 and their responsibilities include setting budgets for their police forces and appointing the most senior officer - the chief constable - for their area.

But ministers plan to abolish the role in 2028 when the next elections are set to be held, to save at least £100 million and help fund neighbourhood policing. Instead, mayors and council leaders will take up the responsibilities of policing arrangements.

Policing minister Sarah Jones announced the move in the Commons yesterday, 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".

In reaction, Ms Hernandez, who was first elected to the role in 2016, said: "I am shocked by today's announcement and we are still working out what this means for the people of Devon and Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, and for the staff in my office.