Police commissioners cost taxpayers millions while crime rates stay low
Tax-funded Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales cost over £100M in just four years. Their effectiveness is questioned as local forces show low crime-solving rates and odd priority choices
The tax-payers money spending on Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) has reached eye-popping numbers - over £100M between 2019-23 in England/Wales‚ with yearly costs hitting £25M (which doesnt seem too high until you look at results)
In todays high-tax times - highest in seven decades - two things make this spending worth a closer look: the governments search for new tax sources and PCCs real-world impact on police work. The coalition-made system puts Roger Hirst and other commissioners in charge of police priorities with nice-sized paychecks: £91‚600 for him; £81‚937 for his deputy
The recent case of Allison Pearson shows how PCCs handle their duties. Essex Police visited her home on Sunday morning about year-old deleted tweet; their boss Hirst called it “due process“. Yet his force solved just:
- 6% of burglaries
- 10% of property damage cases
- Under 10% of sex-related crimes
A weird double-standard appeared when Essex Police ignored a complaint about David Millers tweet with anti-Jewish content (they said emotions were high after Oct 7 events); but rushed to Pearsons door for her post. Hirst talked about protecting “black and Asian communities“ on LBC radio - which raises questions about selective law enforcement
The gap between police and public grows wider as people give up more freedoms but dont see better safety. PCCs with their big salaries need to fix this trust issue fast - before its too late
Its fairly evident isnt it really that its not been treated as a high priority; Its taken a year to actually go and knock on the door
