Fears County Durham will ‘lose out’ under police reforms

Richard Bell, Conservative councillor for Upper Teesdale, said the region’s police resources and accountability will be impacted by the changes proposed by the Government. 

Under the proposals, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role will be abolished in 2028. Their powers will be transferred to regional mayors or policing and crime boards made up of local council leaders. 

Cllr Bell said: “Does Cabinet share my concerns that Government proposals for huge regional police forces will mean County Durham losing out both in terms of police resources and accountability?”

(Image: Contributor)

Durham County Council said the Government’s reforms are “worrying” and condemned the plans, which also suggest combining police forces to cover larger areas. 

Kyle Genner, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, environment and police relations, said: “Our view is that policing should remain local, and that governance and accountability should too. 

“A return to something like the former police authority might represent the most effective solution to filling the void left.” 

Responding to the proposals, the local authority said locally elected members should play a key part in any decisions on the future policing structure. 

The Government said the PCC role, introduced in November 2012, had not worked, with the public having little awareness of who their PCC is, and is showing little sign in improving confidence in police. 

But Joy Allen, who was re-elected to the role in 2024, warned that removing the role would undermine public confidence in the police. 

“This is yet another ill-thought-through proposal from a government that has consistently demonstrated its complete lack of understanding of policing and community safety,” she said. 

The regional role currently oversees the work of Durham Constabulary, which covers County Durham and Darlington.

PCCs are elected officials whose job is to help ensure police forces function effectively, but not to run those forces themselves. They hold police forces to account and scrutinise their performances on behalf of the public.