Cambridgeshire and Peterborough mayor Paul Bristow has indicated that the county’s current Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Darryl Preston, could effectively continue in his role even after the government abolishes elected commissioners in 2028.
The government confirmed this week that PCC roles—introduced 12 years ago to strengthen public accountability—will be scrapped and their powers transferred to regional mayors or council leaders.
Ministers say the change, part of the upcoming Devolution Bill, will streamline oversight and save £100m over this Parliament. PCCs currently set police budgets, appoint chief constables and shape long-term policing plans.
Speaking to BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, Bristow said that if policing powers transfer to his office, he would still need someone dedicated to carrying out the responsibilities.
“If I do get this responsibility, which looks to be the direction of travel, I would have to appoint a police and crime commissioner — or deputy mayor — to work under me anyway,” he said. “I don’t know what Darryl’s plans are, but I think he would probably be at the top of the list to do that job.”
Bristow stressed that residents are more concerned with frontline policing than with the structure of oversight. “I think most people just want to see more police on the beat… more criminals caught… and the law enforced. I don’t think they care too much who’s in charge.”
In a fuller statement responding to the government announcement, Bristow said the move was expected.
“For regions like ours with a mayor, this is nothing new. It confirms the Government’s plan, set out in the Devolution Bill, for mayors to take on responsibility for policing and crime from 2028,” he said.
He praised Preston and the force: “Our Commissioner Darryl Preston and our local police do a good job keeping the people of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough safe, and I look forward to working with him as we begin to prepare for this transition.”
But he also questioned the government’s priorities and criticised current funding levels.
“Making local leadership and accountability simpler, clearer and more joined-up is always a good thing. And there are questions about how this transition will work in practice,” he said.
“But if this Government was serious about fighting crime in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough it would give us our fair share of funding and police officers. We are one of the lowest funded forces in the country.”
He added: “It is bobbies on the beat and catching criminals that people care about. Not necessarily who is in charge.”
Labour policing minister Sarah Jones told MPs that the PCC model had “failed to live up to expectations” and had “not delivered what it was set up to achieve.”
PCC Darryl Preston said he remained committed to delivering his Police and Crime Plan and would work closely with the mayor “to ensure a smooth transition at the appropriate time.”
