Cathy Haenlein responds to the announcement of the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales

'This is a defining period for policing in England and Wales. While police reform is squarely on the government’s agenda, it has been unclear how radical Labour is prepared to be.'

'With this announcement, the government has enacted a major shift in policing governance, marking the end of a controversial system introduced in 2012 by the then Home Secretary Theresa May in a bid to enhance accountability and give communities a direct voice in policing.'

'The move could be a signal of what is to come in the government’s keenly awaited policing White Paper. Due for release this month, the White Paper has been delayed – potentially until the new year. In this context, it is worth asking whether scrapping PCCs could pave the way for police force mergers – if the political situation allows it.'

'Labour's decision to scrap Police and Crime Commissioners is framed as abolishing an obscure tier of governance to save around £100 million and put £20 million per year into neighbourhood officers. But the more important story is not the money. It is the closure of a failed democratic experiment – and a reassertion of Labour's preference to recentralise policing in order to get a grip on a strained system facing multiple challenges.'

'Law enforcement is facing a complex range of threats – from serious and organised crime to online offending and violence against women and girls. Nods to a governance model that provides stronger central direction suggests Labour may be about to enact some radical changes. The political test will be whether that control delivers visible improvements in safety and security, rather than simply rewiring the system.'

Cathy Haenlein is RUSI's Director of Organised Crime and Policing Studies