'Failed experiment' claim is 'nonsense', says Cambridgeshire's police chief
Police and crime commissioners are due to be abolished in 2028
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough's police and crime commissioner (PCC) has hit out at the Government over its plan to abolish the role in 2028.
Conservative Darryl Preston was first elected into the post in 2021, but the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has since said that the position was "a failed experiment".
"If you're going to come out with broad statements like 'a failed experiment', back it up with something," Mr Preston said.
"I haven't seen anything that backs this up; apparently it's going to save £100 million which would be put back into policing (and) that is just a nonsense."
The elected officials were first introduced in 2012 and their responsibilities include setting budgets for their police forces and appointing the most senior officer – the chief constable – for their area.
Last month, Ms Mahmood said in a statement the £100m in savings would be put towards funding more neighbourhood police officers across the country.
PCC made aware of abolition hours before announcement
“The introduction of PCCs by the last Government was a failed experiment," she said.
“I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils."
Mr Preston told us that he was made aware his role would be removed around a couple of hours before Ms Mahmood spoke in Parliament.
In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the responsibilities of the PCC would most likely fall into the hands of the county's Combined Authority mayor Paul Bristow - who like Mr Preston - is Conservative.
"I've had brief conversations with Paul, I get on with him very well and any transition that happens in the future will be a smooth transition," Mr Preston said.
'Not a lot of people know who their PCC is'
Emily Spurrell, chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, reacted to the announcement PCCs would be abolished by saying they have “transformed policing accountability and delivered essential support services for victims of crime."
Mr Preston said he feels in the last decade, the role of PCCs has been important for local communities.
"I think there's a lot that PCCs have brought to the table and I think there's a lot they could do with Government moving forward," he added.
"I accept we're a fairly new role and not a lot of people will know who their PCC is, but ask people who their MP is, who their mayor is.
"I believe we have too many layers of local government, so as long as you end up with a good service and wiser spending of money, I can't disagree (with the decision)."
'Bobbies on the beat'
In a statement, Mr Bristow said in November he was not surprised the government had chosen to scrap the role of PCCs and praised Mr Preston for his role in keeping local communities safe.
“But if this Government was serious about fighting crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough it would give us our fair share of funding and police officers," he said.
“It is bobbies on the beat and catching criminals that people care about, not necessarily who is in charge.”
In the summer, the Government confirmed Cambridgeshire would be allocated 30 new officers with the force getting more than £2 million to help improve neighbourhood policing.