Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, has welcomed the Government announcement that Police and Crime Commissioners will be abolished at the end of their current term in 2028. 

The MP called for this change earlier this year in a debate in Parliament where Mr Western outlined what he views as the flaws of the role of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) and why he thinks they money spent on the role could be better spent on frontline policing. 

The announcement was made by the Minister for Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones MP, in the House of Commons earlier this month. 

The Minister acknowledged that the role of PCCs had "not delivered what it was set up to achieve". A lack of engagement and understanding of the role was also referenced, despite the roles having existed for over a decade.

 In 2024, less than a quarter of voters turned out to vote for their PCC in the election, and two in five people are unaware that PCCs even exist. In Warwickshire, the turnout for the 2024 PCC election was 25.95%, dropping significantly from the highest turnout of 38.45 percent in 2021.  

Home Office research conducted during the PCC review in 2020 found that 68% of the public in mayoral areas claimed that they could name their mayor, compared with only 16 percent of people in PCC areas claiming that they could name their PCC.

 The Minister also argued that the "PCC model has weakened local police accountability and has had perverse impacts on the recruitment of chief constables" and that it had "failed to inspire confidence in local people."

The Commissioners will be abolished at the end of their current term in 2028 with functions transferred to mayors where possible and in areas where plans do not yet allow for a transfer of policing to a mayor this Parliament, new policing and crime boards will be set up to bring council leaders together to oversee the police force in their area until such time as mayors are in place in England. 

The Government estimate that at least £100 million will be saved this Parliament by moving to these new arrangements. Once delivered, they say these changes are expected to achieve savings to the Home Office of around £20 million a year, enough to fund around 320 extra police constables.

Matt Western MP said: "This is the right move by the Government. The fact they have listened to the feedback of many who have argued that the PCC model is not fit for purpose and that money could be better spent elsewhere is very welcome. 

When I shared my views with constituents after my debate in Parliament earlier this year, it was clear so many agreed the money spent on the PCC model could be much better spent elsewhere. I am very pleased we have been listened to, and this is now the case."