PCC could keep 'scrapped' police role, says mayor

Darryl Preston, police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, will keep the role until 2028 under new plans

The mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough has suggested the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC) could effectively continue in the role, after the government announced plans to scrap the post.

The government said it would end the role, brought in 12 years ago, and transfer powers to regional mayors, which it said could save £100m over this Parliament's term.

There are 37 elected commissioners under the current system, which was introduced to improve police accountability.

Conservative mayor Paul Bristow said if the role became his responsibility, he would need to appoint someone to do that job and said the current Conservative PCC, Darryl Preston, would be the best person for it.

The main responsibilities of PCCs include setting an annual budget, appointing chief constables and producing a policing plan.

Labour's policing minister Sarah Jones told the Commons on Thursday that the model, brought in by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, had "failed to live up to expectations" and "not delivered what it was set up to achieve".

The roles are due to disappear when the current commissioners' terms end in 2028 and their responsibilities will move to an elected mayor or to council leaders.

The PCC's responsibilities could end up in the in-tray of Paul Bristow, the mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority

Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Bristow said: "If I do get this responsibility, which looks to be the direction of travel, I would have to appoint a police and crime commissioner to work — or deputy mayor to work — under me anyway, and I don't know what Darryl's plans are, but I think he would probably be at the top of the list to do that job.

"I think most people just want to see more police on the beat... more criminals caught... and the law enforced.

"I don't think they care too much who's in charge."

He suggested the force needed better funding from the government.

"We need more police officers, we need more money... that's what the government should be focusing on, not rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic," he added.

In a statement, PCC Preston, said: "While we await the detail of how this is going to look in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, I want to take this opportunity to reassure people that I remain committed to delivering the priorities within my Police and Crime Plan and supporting partners and those delivering services in keeping our communities safe."

He said he would be working closely with the mayor "to ensure a smooth transition at the appropriate time".