Government has announced Police and Crime Commissioners will be scrapped in a move the government says it will save taxpayer £100m. 

Speaking in the Commons, policing minister Sarah Jos: "The model has failed to live up to expectations. "It has not delivered what it was set up to achieve public understanding of, and engagement with our police and crime commissioners remains low.

"Despite efforts to raise their profile, 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 oversight powers provided by the elected PCCs will be taken on by mayors when current terms end in 2028 with any area not served by a directly elected mayor the responsible will be taken on by council leaders, the government says.

With Cumbria set to gain it's first Mayor in 2027 the role of Police and Crime commissioner will pass to the Mayor when the role is scrapped.

The announcement comes as part of a major series of changes to policing, the Home Office says, as part of the police reform white paper.

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.

"I would like to recognise the efforts of all current and former Police and Crime Commissioners, and thank them. These individuals served their communities and will continue to do so until they have completed their current terms."

The savings amount to £20m a year, the government says, which is enough for just over 320 new police officers.

Speaking in the Commons, Jones says it is a reflection of the system of PCCs, and not the people who actually held the office.

Since the role was first introduced Cumbria has been served by three directly elected commissioners with Labour's David Allen the current PFCC in a role holding oversight and responsibilities for police and fire services across the county.

In response to today's government announcement Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “The news from the Government regarding the move away from PCC models to local authority and mayoral models does not change the current plans for Cumbria.

“In October, Westmorland and Furness Council and Cumberland Council agreed for Cumbria to move towards a mayoral authority in 2027 – a move that has been in the works for a while now.

“This is still the case for Cumbria following the announcement from Minister of Policing and Crime, Sarah Jones MP, this morning (Thursday 13 November).

“We are already working with the Unitary Councils, Home Office and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to transfer Cumbria over to a mayoral system from May 2027. As part of this a Deputy Mayor for policing, fire and crime, under the Mayor, will continue to hold the Chief Constable and Chief Fire Officer to account for the effectiveness and efficiency of their organisations.

“This will ensure that residents and visitors to our county continue to get the best service possible from their Police and Fire & Rescue Services.

“Ultimately, devolution puts power firmly into the hands of Cumbrians and takes away power from central government and faceless Civil Servants in London. We know our area best and I believe that we have the skills, people and talent to thrive in the future, this will empower us to be able to deliver it — and that’s something I fully support.

“No matter the model used to hold blue light services to account, the priority is and always will be ensuring that the public are kept safe.”