West Midlands PCC threatens legal action over mayor merger plan

Labour's Simon Foster was elected as the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner in 2021

The West Midlands police and crime commissioner has threatened legal action over plans to merge his office with the office of the region's mayor.

Andy Street, the Conservative mayor of the West Midlands, received backing from the Home Secretary on Wednesday to push ahead with the plan.

He has argued change was needed for the West Midlands force, which is in special measures.

But commissioner Simon Foster said the move could be unlawful.

In a letter to the government, Mr Foster called it a "hostile takeover".

The Labour politician said he would seek a judicial review if the plans were not withdrawn, to determine if they were lawful.

The police and crime commissioner said: "I have repeatedly advised Mayor Street not to proceed with this cynical, divisive and undemocratic power grab.

"Sadly, the mayor has refused to listen."

Mr Street has stressed that any change would not come into force until after the next mayoral elections, but said he had acted because "crime in this region has more than doubled and I simply cannot allow it to go on any longer".