Government to Scrap Police and Crime Commissioners: What This Means for Policing and Accountability

Why Has The PCC Been Scrapped and What Are The Implications?

The government has announced that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be abolished by 2028, marking a significant shift in how policing oversight is managed across England and Wales.

The decision, part of a wider package of policing reforms, is expected to save at least £100 million. 

The Home Office is now promising that the funds will be redirected to support frontline neighbourhood policing.

Since their introduction in 2012, PCCs have acted as elected representatives responsible for holding police forces to account, setting budgets, and commissioning victim support services.

However, the model has faced persistent criticism for low public awareness and limited voter engagement – with government figures revealing that two in five people are unaware of PCCs’ existence, and turnout in some elections dropping below 20%.

Key Reform: Powers to Transfer to Mayors and Council Leaders

Under the new model, the functions of PCCs will be absorbed by regional mayors wherever those structures exist.

In areas without a mayoral authority, the responsibility for police oversight will pass to elected council leaders.

According to the Home Office, this will integrate policing priorities into broader strategies for housing, education, and healthcare – allowing local leaders to address crime prevention as part of a wider public safety agenda.

In Wales, the government has said it will take into account the “unique circumstances” of devolved arrangements before finalising the transition, which is set to take place at the end of the next PCC electoral cycle in 2028.

Funding and Frontline Reinvestment

The government estimates that removing the PCC structure will save at least £20 million annually in administrative costs, which it claims could fund up to 320 new constables.

Ministers have framed the reform as part of a broader effort to “cut bureaucracy and put more officers back on the streets,” aligning with the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee that promises named officers for every community and additional patrols at peak times.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described the PCC model as a “failed experiment” introduced by the previous administration.

Mahmood argues that accountability should sit with directly elected mayors or local councils who are already answerable to the public across multiple services.

“These reforms will ensure police are accountable to their local mayoralties or councils, The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities.”

Implications for Victim Support and Police Oversight

One of the key functions of PCCs has been the commissioning of victim and witness support services, including funding for domestic abuse charities, youth diversion programmes, and restorative justice schemes.

The Home Office has pledged that these services will continue without interruption during the transition and will remain locally delivered under the new system.

However, criminal justice observers have raised questions about how accountability and transparency will be maintained once the PCC role is dissolved.

The independence of police governance, particularly in the handling of complaints and misconduct matters, could become more complex when absorbed into wider political structures.

For practitioners within the criminal justice system – including defence solicitors – clarity over who holds oversight of local policing priorities and resourcing can be critical.

Decisions about charging policy, custody facilities, and community safety initiatives often rely on consistent strategic direction, which may be disrupted during a transition period of this scale.

National Reform and the Future of Policing Standards

The abolition of PCCs forms part of a wider Police Reform White Paper to be published later this year.

The paper is expected to propose a new National Centre of Policing to consolidate IT, forensics, and administrative functions, and a dedicated Police Performance Unit tasked with driving national consistency and improving outcomes.

These measures are designed to tackle what the Home Office has called a “postcode lottery” in police performance and crime outcomes – ensuring that public confidence and service quality are not dependent on local variations.

The reforms also aim to strengthen professional standards across all forces and enhance accountability mechanisms through national oversight.

Legal and Community Perspective

From a legal standpoint, the restructuring of police governance will have wide-ranging implications for how local priorities are set, how police powers are scrutinised, and how victims’ rights and defendants’ protections are balanced at the community level.

While greater integration with local government may bring efficiency, it will be essential to preserve the independence of police oversight and ensure decisions are not driven by political considerations.

For communities, the focus remains on ensuring that reform translates into visible, accessible policing – with more officers on the streets, faster response times, and better engagement between law enforcement and the public.

As with any major reform, the success of these changes will depend not only on cost savings but also on whether they deliver a justice system that is more transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves..

How We Can Help

As always, we will be monitoring any reforms and the implications for any of our clients. Call us now on 0161 477 1121 or email us.