'If I'm being axed, then Lancashire needs a mayor': police and crime commissioner responds to role ending
Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has said the government’s decision to abolish his role makes having elected mayor of Lancashire more important than ever.
Clive Grunshaw was responding to the news that he and his 36 counterparts across England and Wales will be the last PCCs - with the posts being axed when their current terms end in 2028.
The political roles were created in 2012 with a remit to oversee the work of the police in each force area.
The government says scrapping PCCs will enable at least £20 million to be reinvested in frontline policing every year - enough to fund for 320 constables.
The plan is for elected mayors to absorb the responsibilities of the PCC in areas where they exit - with council leaders taking on the role elsewhere.
Lancashire is currently without an elected mayor - although does appear to be closer to agreeing to adopting the role than at any time in the nine years it has been debating the issue.
Mr Grunshaw said he was “disappointed” by the government’s move and added that it also “reinforces the vital need for a mayor to represent Lancashire both regionally and nationally on policing and crime, championing investment and securing the best possible outcomes for our county”.
The Labour politician served as thePCC for Lancashire from 2012 to 2021, before being re-elected in 2024, three years after being ousted by the Conservative Andrew Snowded, who is now the MP for Fylde.
Clive Grunshaw said he wanted to “ reassure the people of Lancashire that I remain fully committed to being their voice in policing, and to holding Lancashire Constabulary accountable for delivering the high-quality service our communities expect and deserve”.
He added: “The day-to-day work of my office, in partnership with Lancashire Constabulary and our criminal justice partners, will continue to drive forward my Police and Crime Plan. This includes preventing violence against women and girls, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, and providing dedicated support services for victims of crime.
"I'm pleased the work of my office, and Police and Crime Commissioners across the county have been recognised and commended.
"I remain in active discussions with local government partners about reorganisation and the move to a mayoral model in Lancashire. Whatever changes come next, public accountability must remain at the heart of police reform, with clear, identifiable leadership that is firmly connected to local communities, helping to keep people safe.
“"Having a single, local representative answerable to the public has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing delivers on the issues that matter most to local communities.
Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said that the introduction of police and crime commissioners by the last government was “a failed experiment”.
“She added: “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.”