PCC 'surprised' by decision to scrap position

John Campion said commissioners had "not been involved" in the proposal to scrap all PCCs across England and Wales

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for West Mercia Police has said he was "surprised" by the government's announcement to abolish his position.

John Campion, who was elected in 2016, said PCCs had "not been involved in shaping or inputting" the decision which was announced on Thursday.

In the announcement, the government said abolishing PCCs in England and Wales would save £100m and also claimed that only 16% of voters could name their own PCC.

The Policing Minister Sarah Jones told the Commons that PCCs were a "failed experiment" and the saving would allow ministers to invest an extra £20m in front line policing every year.

PCC roles will move to either elected mayors or council leaders at the end of the commissioners' terms in 2028.

In a statement addressing the decision, Mr Campion, Conservative, said: "Today's announcement came as a surprise, as it was not part of the Government's manifesto commitments.

"As the voice of the public and victims in policing, supporting and challenging our extraordinary police service, I remain deeply committed to ensuring this work continues until 2028 when the term was always due to finish."

He added: "I will continue to focus on delivering for the communities of West Mercia - this has not changed and will not change.

"As a result of the record number of police officers I have delivered, with crime continuing to fall, my mission remains to ensure our communities receive the full benefit."

'Deeply disappointed'

PCCs were introduced by the Conservatives in 2011 to improve the political accountability of individual police forces.

But according to government figures, less than a quarter of the potential electorate vote in the elections for PCCs.

Their main responsibilities include setting an annual budget, appointing chief constables, producing a five-year policing plan, and assessing the performance of their force against the plan.

The chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Emily Spurrell, PCC for Merseyside, said: "We are deeply disappointed by this decision and the lack of engagement with us."

She added: "For more than a decade, directly elected Police and Crime Commissioners have transformed policing accountability and delivered essential support services for victims of crime.

"Having a single, visible local leader - answerable to the public - has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing delivers on the issues that matter most to local communities.

"Abolishing PCCs now, without any consultation, as policing faces a crisis of public trust and confidence and as it is about to be handed a much stronger national centre, risks creating a dangerous accountability vacuum."