West Midlands Mayor getting policing powers is 'hostile takeover', says PCC
The current police and crime commissioner has called it a "hostile takeover".
Last updated 7th Dec 2023
The home secretary has granted the conservative mayor for the West Midlands, Andy Street, the powers of the police and crime commissioner, which will come into effect after the May election.
In a tweet, Mr Street said: "Crime has doubled in eight years and our force is now in special measures. We cannot go on like this."
The "special measures" is in reference to the latest inspection by the HMICFRS, in which the force was told it was lacking in certain areas.
Mayors in other areas, including Manchester and London, are already responsible for the governance and budgets of their police forces.
The current PCC, Labour's Simon Foster, said: "I deeply disagree with the mayor’s hostile takeover, because firstly, he is abolishing people’s right to vote, so that he can appoint one of his friends to the role instead; secondly, preventing, tackling and reducing crime will not be his top priority, and thirdly, this is a cynical and divisive power grab, that is in no-one’s interests save that of the Mayor."
"The mayor has made this decision because his party have stood for election to the role of Police and Crime Commissioner four times and been defeated every time. That is because his party is not trusted by the people of the West Midlands to prevent, tackle and reduce crime."