What does scrapping PCCs mean for Halton?

What will happen to Halton when Cheshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) is scrapped?

The current PCC has said he does not know what axing his role will mean for the borough, which sits in two areas for policing and governance.

The government has announced PCCs will be scrapped at the end of their terms in 2028, with powers to be taken over by mayors or councils.

Halton, which includes Runcorn and Widnes, is covered by Cheshire Police but is one of the six boroughs in the Liverpool City Region, which is led by regional mayor Steve Rotheram.

Dan Price, the Labour PCC for Cheshire, who was elected to the role in May 2024, said there "was a conversation to be had over Halton".

He said he was "not totally surprised" by the government's decision.

'Defined areas'

"Because of the work the government is doing around devolution, I think the government set out in the white paper what it really said was the destination for an awful lot of different public services and policing was part of that," he added.

"I understand the rationale that they've given, I think the thing that is still to be worked out and to provide clarity is the areas that don't sit within really defined devolution areas and what happens there."

Halton is one of those areas.

It agreed to become part of the Liverpool City Region in 2015, but it is covered by Cheshire Police.

Cheshire and Warrington have backed plans for a devolution deal and would elect their first mayor in 2027.

The government has said elected mayors or council leaders would receive the powers currently held by the PCCs when their terms end in 2028.

But this means there is uncertainty over what this would mean for Halton.

Mr Price said: "I really care about Halton as being part of Cheshire, my office is in Runcorn Town Hall.

"But there's a conversation for Halton to have through all of this."

The BBC has asked the government for a comment on Halton.

The government is expected to set out more details in a forthcoming white paper.

It is understood that in places where police forces cover several areas, a local policing and crime board would include leaders - and mayors where they exist - from across the area.