Plans to transfer the oversight of the local police force in the
West Midlands and South Yorkshire from the Police and Crime
Commissioner to the Mayor will be consulted on, the Home Office
has announced this week.
As part of the plans to give these locally elected
Mayors a greater overview of the police, the public can expect
greater collaboration across public services, helping to cut
crime and keep our communities safe.
This is already the case in London, Greater Manchester and West
Yorkshire.
Last week, the government announced that overall police funding
available to forces in England and Wales will increase by up
to £922.2 million next year, should PCCs choose to take
full advantage of police precept flexibility. This will help to
support frontline policing in their area and maintain the officer
numbers.
Under the settlement, West Midlands Police would receive up to
£789.4m, a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to last year.
South Yorkshire Police would receive up to £355.1m, a 6.1%
increase in cash terms compared to last year.
Earlier this year, the government met its commitment to recruit
20,000 additional police officers, meaning there are now more
officers in England and Wales than ever before. West Midlands
Police have recruited an additional 1,376 officers through the
police uplift programme, whilst South Yorkshire Police have
recruited an additional 519 officers.
The consultations on the proposed transfer of Police & Crime
Commissioner functions to the West
Midlands and South
Yorkshire Mayors were launched this week (Wednesday 20
December) and will run for 6 weeks to allow the public to share
their views on the proposals.
The government will carefully consider the responses received
before deciding whether to introduce legislation to enact the
change.
Any changes will be effective following the mayoral elections in
May 2024.
