The Government has confirmed that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be scrapped, with ministers claiming the move will save at least £100 million that can instead be channelled into frontline policing, artificial intelligence and cybercrime capability.
The announcement forms part of a wide-reaching overhaul of policing in England and Wales aimed at raising national standards, improving performance monitoring and ending what ministers have described as a “postcode lottery” in crime outcomes.
The reforms, which will be outlined in full in the forthcoming Police Reform White Paper, include the creation of a new National Centre of Policing. The centre will consolidate critical support functions — including IT services and forensic capabilities — to improve efficiency and ensure better value for taxpayers. Ministers are also introducing a new police performance unit to drive up standards across forces.
A major pillar of the reform is a significant investment in AI-driven policing tools and enhanced cyber skills, reflecting the changing nature of crime and the rising complexity of online threats.
The government argues that abolishing PCCs will remove layers of unnecessary bureaucracy while freeing up millions for neighbourhood policing. Since their introduction in 2012, PCCs have struggled to gain public recognition; fewer than half of Britons are aware they exist, and turnout in PCC elections has consistently been low.
Graeme Stewart, head of public sector at Check Point Software, said the decision reflects a “fundamental shift” in policing: “This is a bold move by a government fully aware that the nature of policing has changed since these roles were created twelve years ago. AI, cyber attacks and online safety challenges mean accountability rarely sits with one individual. Redirecting these savings towards frontline policing and digital capability is essential for tackling tomorrow’s threats.”
Under the new model, the responsibilities of PCCs will be absorbed by regional mayors where possible, placing crime reduction and policing strategy within the wider context of public services such as education and community safety. The transition will take place at the end of the next electoral cycle in 2028.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said PCCs had proved ineffective: “The introduction of police and crime commissioners was a failed experiment. I will introduce reforms to ensure police are accountable to local mayoralties or councils. The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat, fighting crime and protecting our communities.”
The reforms sit alongside the Government’s Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which pledges named and contactable officers for every community, guaranteed police patrols in busy areas at peak times and 3,000 additional neighbourhood officers by spring next year.
