Home Office launches consultation on transfer of police powers

The government has begun a six-week consultation with the public, on plans to transfer the oversight of the local police force in the West Midlands from the Police and Crime Commissioner to the Mayor’s office.

Home Secretary James Cleverly agreed to the transfer on December 6, following a request by Andy Street, the current mayor.

Under the settlement, West Midlands Police would receive up to £789.4m, a 6.8% increase in cash terms compared to last year.

This is already the case in London, Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. The government will also consult on its plans to transfer Police and Crime Commissioner functions to the Mayor of South Yorkshire at the same time.

West Midlands Police was put into special measures last month by His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary (HMIC).

In a tweet, Street said: “My request for the Mayor to take on Police & Crime Commissioner powers from May has been agreed by the Home Secretary tonight. Crime has doubled in 8 years and our force is now in special measures.

“We cannot go on like this. I’ll set out my plan of action in due course.”

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster, who was elected in 2021, had written to James Cleverly last month to object to “the Mayor’s hostile takeover”.

At the time, he wrote: “There is no local democratic support for this cynical and divisive power grab. The Mayor is attempting to achieve through the backdoor, what his Party have been incapable of achieving through the ballot box.”

A Home Office statement said: “As part of the plans to give these locally elected Mayors a greater overview of the police, the public can expect greater collaboration across public services, helping to cut crime and keep our communities safe.”

The public consultation will end on January 31.

Any changes will be effective following the mayoral elections in May 2024.