Plans to scrap police and crime commissioners were “inevitable” Hampshire’s PCC Donna Jones has said

Ministers plan to abolish the role in 2028 when the next elections are set to be held to save at least £100 million and help fund neighbourhood policing and instead, mayors and council leaders will take up the responsibilities of policing arrangements.

However with changes for Hampshire already earmarked to take place in 2027 after the creation of the Mayor-led Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority, the position across the county remains unchanged.

But Hampshire and Isle of Wight’s PCC Donna Jones said she was disappointed with ‘the lack of consultation with the public before today’s announcement’.

Police and Crime Commissioners 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.

Policing minister Sarah Jones announced the move in the Commons today (Thursday, November 13) telling MPs that the model has shown little sign of improving confidence in policing.

She said less than a quarter of voters turned out to vote for them in the 2024 elections, and two in five people are "unaware PCCs even exist".

The minister added: "The reality is that the PCC model has weakened local police accountability and has had perverse impacts on the recruitment of chief constables.

"They have failed to inspire confidence in local people, in stark contrast to the mayoral model, which has clearly been ultimately more successful."

In a statement, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners by the last government was a failed experiment.

"I will introduce new reforms so police are accountable to their local mayoralties or local councils.

"The savings will fund more neighbourhood police on the beat across the country, fighting crime and protecting our communities."

Reacting to the announcement, Donna Jones said that it means that plans for the county are unchanged, with the a new Mayor set to look after an identical geographical area as the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and the merging of the two roles.

“So this outcome was inevitable,” she said. “When we see issues in policing, such as in the recent BBC documentary about issues in the MET, it is right that there is strong effective independent governance of policing. PCC’s have made that happen.

“Firstly, I need to make clear to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that this will not have a direct impact here.

“For us, the position is unchanged because Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority will be formed in 2026, and PCC powers are due to be transferred to the mayor’s office in 2027.

“Since my election in 2021, I have funded 815 additional police officers; launched a highly successful named Local Bobby scheme which has since been rolled out nationally; reopened 8 police stations; and introduced a Victims Hub and invested £11m every year in victim and perpetrator support programmes.

“Knife crime has also significantly reduced and my funding of the UKPAC initiative is seeing prolific shoplifters targeted and local businesses protected.

“Having a single, visible local leader – answerable to the public – has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing deliver on the issues that matter most to local 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.”