Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Set to Lose Police and Crime Commissioner in 2028
Darryl Preston says he’ll keep backing local priorities as government moves policing powers to mayors
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s police and crime commissioner Darryl Preston has released a statement in response to the government’s plans to scrap his role.
Speaking in the House of Commons on November 13, Home Office Minister Sarah Jones confirmed that all police and crime commissioner roles across the country would be abolished at the end of their terms in 2028.
There are currently 41 elected commissioners, a role introduced 12 years ago by former Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron.
Their functions will be taken over by directly-elected mayors where possible, and by groups of council leaders where a mayor is not in place.
The government claimed the move would save £100 million over the current parliament.
Ms Jones told the Commons: “The model has failed to live up to expectations. It has not delivered what it was set up to achieve. Public understanding of, and engagement with our police and crime commissioners remains low.”
She claimed that just two in five people were aware that the role existed.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood called the system a “failed experiment”.
Mr Preston, who took over as Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s police and crime commissioner in 2021, said: “This morning, the policing minister announced the government’s decision on the future of police and crime commissioners.
“The Devolution White Paper set out the government’s plans for local mayors to take on responsibility for overseeing policing. Today the government set out their timeline for this change which will take place in 2028.
“While we await the detail of how this is going to look in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, I want to take this opportunity to reassure people that I remain committed to delivering the priorities within my Police and Crime Plan and supporting partners and those delivering services in keeping our communities safe.
“We know this news will bring with it uncertainty, but nothing changes immediately – the work of those funded through my office, supporting the most vulnerable in our communities continues along with the funding agreements in place, and I will work with the CPCA Mayor Paul Bristow and his team to ensure a smooth transition at the appropriate time.”
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Paul Bristow, who would likely take over the responsibility from Mr Preston, said:
“For region’s like ours with a mayor, this is nothing new. It confirms the government’s plan, set out in the Devolution Bill, for mayors to take on responsibility for policing and crime from 2028."
“Our commissioner Darryl Preston and our local police do a good job keeping the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough safe, and I look forward to working with him as we begin to prepare for this transition."
“Making local leadership and accountability simpler, clearer and more joined-up is always a good thing. And there are questions about how this transition will work in practice."
“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. We are one of the lowest funded forces in the country."
“It is bobbies on the beat and catching criminals that people care about. Not necessarily who is in charge.”
Peterborough’s Labour MP Andrew Pakes said that abolishing police and crime commissioners was “the right thing to do”.
Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, Emily Spurrell, said:
“On behalf of our communities we are deeply disappointed by this decision and the lack of engagement with us."
“For more than a decade, directly elected police and crime commissioners have transformed policing accountability and delivered essential support services for victims of crime."
“Having a single, visible local leader – answerable to the public – has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing delivers on the issues that matter most to local communities."
“Abolishing PCCs now, without any consultation, as policing faces a crisis of public trust and confidence and as it is about to be handed a much stronger national centre, risks creating a dangerous accountability vacuum."
“Many of today’s flagship government missions – supporting victims, working with local partners to prevent crime, tackling violence against women and girls – originated with and are delivered by PCCs, reflecting the priorities of our communities."
“Whatever follows in our place must be rooted in local and national accountability, clear and identifiable leadership and connected to local communities. The public deserve nothing less."
“PCCs have worked hand-in-hand with the Home Office and operational policing to shape a police service fit for the future and confront policing’s biggest challenges. We remain committed to ensuring that public accountability remains at the heart of police reform.”
What does a police and crime commissioner do?
The role of the police and crime commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account.
They aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area.
Police and crime commissioners, like Darryl Preston in Cambridgeshire, are responsible for setting the police budget and strategic objectives, appointing the chief constable, and working with other agencies to prevent and reduce crime.
The current salary for Mr Preston’s role is set by the Home Office and is £73,300.