Following the announcement by the government that police and crime commissioners are to be abolished in England and Wales to save £100m, the PCC for Dorset, David Sidwick, has issued the following response:
“The announcement from the Home Office is beyond disappointing for many reasons.
“To announce this without any consultation or satisfactory advanced warning, and with no tangible detailed plans for how scrutiny of Dorset Police will happen beyond 2028 is baffling. This move raises more questions over the future of accountability in policing than it answers.”
Mr Sidwick says he utterly refutes the criticism that PCCs are a so-called ‘failed experiment’ and argues that, when done properly, with a strategic Police and Crime Plan where priorities are set by the people and enacted on their behalf, it works.
The Dorset PCC continues:
“I urgently call on the Home Secretary to show me the details of how they intend to continue the necessary level of scrutiny policing requires, as well as how they plan to continue to provide the same level of service to prevent crime, reduce reoffending and support victims. Reassurance on this final matter alone is vital and imperative.
“I fear these new arrangements will only benefit large metropolitan areas, as we have seen with the funding formula, and once again, leave Dorset and other more rural counties behind. Local priorities and expertise will be lost as policing agendas are set by large regions and central government, rather than those who know their counties and I am deeply concerned that those who will suffer will be the people of Dorset.
“Let me make it clear, while I remain PCC until 2028, every ounce of effort I have will be put into making certain we deliver the Police and Crime Plan, set by the people of this county. By holding the Chief Constable to account, overseeing the budget, lobbying for vital changes to the funding formula, and supporting victims of crime, I am focused on delivering for each and every resident to ensure Dorset remains one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.”
