Last week, the Government announced that the role of Police and Crime Commissioner will be scrapped, saving the taxpayer at least £100 million. 

In a statement published by Rupert Matthews, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland defected from Conservative to Reform, described the move as a 'dark day for the concept of policing by consent.' 

He went on to say 'We are seeing yet another proposal from a government in free-fall. There has been no consultation, there is no clarity in [the] announcement, just a last-minute dot com idea produced on the back of the proverbial cigarette packet. 

'It is a retrograde step that will see policing becoming increasingly detached from the public as it is there to service and will merely encourage two-tier policing that is so destructive to cohesive communities.  

'However, I'm sure this will be a very popular move with Chief Constables who have never liked the level of public scrutiny provided by Police and Crime Commissioners. They would much rather run their police forces and spend taxpayers' money without any oversight.' 

According to the Labour Government, the position of PCC will be absorbed by existing mayors and council leaders with the funds saved to be reinvested into neighbourhood police on the beat. 

MP for North West Leicestershire Amanda Hack welcomed the news, saying it will 'save the taxpayer millions, as well as help fund our vital frontline services, which will be our priority. 

'The role [of PCC] was an experiment introduced by the Lib Dem-Tory Coalition, with the current PCC [for Leicestershire and Rutland] being mired in controversy.  

'This has distracted from the priorities that matter to my constituents, like restoring a local police station and expanding neighbourhood policing, which is something I will continue to push for.'  

'Whilst I understand the strong feeling from the former Conservative and now Reform PCC for Leicestershire on the abolition of his role, it seems he is already at odds with his new party, who welcomed the announcement in the Commons.'