UK to Abolish Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales — Government Says It Will Free Funds for Frontline Officers

Government to remove elected police and crime commissioners

The UK government has announced it will abolish the 37 elected police and crime commissioners (PCCs) in England and Wales, saying the change will save about £100m across this parliament and free roughly £20m a year to be reinvested in frontline policing. Ministers say the PCC model was a 'failed experiment' and point to low public awareness of the roles as evidence it has not met expectations.

Introduced 12 years ago to increase local accountability, PCCs have been responsible for setting police budgets, appointing chief constables and publishing local policing plans. The government plans for responsibilities to transfer when current PCC terms end in 2028, either to elected mayors or to local council leaders depending on the area.

Government case and proposed savings

Home Office ministers say scrapping PCCs will reduce duplication and allow more funding for front-line services: around £20m a year during this parliament, which the department estimates could pay for approximately 320 constables annually. The Home Office also highlighted the cost of running PCC elections, noting the 2024 polls cost at least £87m, a significant portion of the projected savings.

Supporters and critics

Policing Minister Sarah Jones told MPs the PCC model had 'failed to live up to expectations' and had not delivered its original aims, arguing public understanding of PCCs remains low and that the system has, in some cases, weakened local police accountability and affected chief constable recruitment.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the reforms would make police accountable to local mayoralties or council bodies.

Not everyone welcomed the change. Emily Spurrell, Merseyside's PCC and chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, said commissioners were 'deeply disappointed' at the decision and at the lack of consultation, warning abolition amid low public trust in policing could create an 'accountability vacuum.'

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp described the move as 'tinkering around the edges' from a government he said was failing on crime and policing. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Max Wilkinson called the announcement a win for his party but cautioned that transferring powers to mayors who may lack robust scrutiny was not an ideal outcome.

The Police Federation of England and Wales welcomed the announcement. Chair Tiff Lynch said the 'tens of millions of pounds' spent on PCCs would be better used to fund policing with experienced officers.

What happens next

The government says support services for victims and witnesses currently overseen by PCCs will continue. It also intends for crime reduction efforts to be considered alongside wider public services such as education and healthcare. Ministers told MPs that the costs of the 2024 PCC elections would be returned to the Treasury while the ongoing running costs of commissioners' offices would be retained by the Home Office and redirected into policing.

As the changes are implemented, local arrangements for accountability will vary by area: some places will see powers absorbed by elected mayors, others by council leaders and combined authorities. Critics and supporters alike have called for clear plans and local consultation to avoid gaps in oversight during the transition.