Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner 'concerned' after Government announces plans to axe role
Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has responded to the government’s announcement that his role is to be axed at the end of its term.
Conservative Jonathan Ash-Edwards was elected as Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in May 2024, following in the footsteps of previous incumbent David Lloyd.
The PCC role was first introduced by David Cameron’s government in 2012. Its responsibilities include setting budgets for their forces and appointing the chief constable, whom they are tasked with holding to account.
Ministers intend to abolish the role in 2028 when the next election is due, saving around £100 million in costs, which will be directed towards neighbourhood policing.
Policing minister Sarah Jones made the announcement in the Commons on Thursday, telling MPs that less than a quarter of people typically voted in PCC elections, with two in five people “unaware PCCs even exist”.
She added: “The PCC model has weakened local police accountability and has had perverse impacts on the recruitment of chief constables.
“They have failed to inspire confidence in local people, in stark contrast to the mayoral model, which has clearly been ultimately more successful.”
In a statement, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.
“I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils.
“The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.”
Responding to the news that his role will end in 2028, Mr Ash-Edwards said: “While the government’s announcement is not unexpected, there are many unanswered questions about the government’s intentions for wider police reform.
“I am concerned that the weakening of local accountability is deliberate and signals a centralised approach to policing that could shift focus away from the priorities of Hertfordshire’s communities.
“There is clear support from council leaders across Hertfordshire for a mayoral model, which I am supportive of as it provides accountability and transparency across policing.
“I am deeply concerned that the government believe the alternative model, a faceless, bureaucratic board, can provide the same level of accountability and scrutiny as a democratically elected individual.
“In a survey of residents in Hertfordshire, nearly half said they were aware of the role of Police and Crime Commissioner, and I was elected last year on a similar turnout to local elections.
“I am proud of what I have achieved in the last year; Operation Hotspot has delivered 32,000 hours of additional high-visibility police patrols in our town centres. Over 1,200 more crimes were solved in the first 10 months of this year compared to the same period last year. And in a recent survey to residents on the back of my Safer Town Centre, the people of Hertfordshire say they noticed more visible policing through the summer.
“And I will continue that work at pace to ensure Hertfordshire sees real improvements on the ground and that work will continue unaffected until the scheduled end of my term of office in May 2028.”