THE role of Police and Crime Commissioner is to be scrapped with the roles absorbed by existing regional mayors and council leaders, the Home Office has announced.

The abolition of the role is expected to save at least £100 million.

Since 2012, PCCs have been elected to hold forces to account, but turnout at the polls and public knowledge of who their local Commissioner is has been low.

Measures to cut crime will be considered as part of wider public services such as education and healthcare.

John Campion the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia said: "Today's announcement came as a surprise, as it was not part of the Government's manifesto commitments, therefore Police and Crime Commissioners have not been involved in shaping or inputting into what is being proposed.

“As the voice of the public and victims in policing, supporting and challenging our extraordinary police service, I remain deeply committed to ensuring this work continues until 2028 when the term was always due to finish.

“If the Government has identified a better way to achieve these outcomes, I will fully engage in that debate to ensure the public remains at the heart of this function.

"I will continue to focus on delivering for the communities of West Mercia - this has not changed and will not change.

As a result of the record number of police officers I have delivered, with crime continuing to fall, my mission remains to ensure our communities receive the full benefit.

“Whilst the discussions will continue around how this important public service is governed; I want to pay tribute to the extraordinary people who make up West Mercia Police and those who support my commissionership in my office.”