Donna Jones Responds to Government’s Decision to Abolish Police and Crime Commissioners

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones has responded to the government’s announcement that Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be abolished, with their powers transferred to elected mayors across England by 2029.

In a detailed statement issued today, Jones said the move “isn’t unexpected” given the government’s previously outlined plans for wider devolution and mayoral representation.

“Today’s announcement isn’t unexpected. The government had already outlined plans for every part of England to be represented by an elected Mayor by 2029. Where a Mayor’s area matches the boundaries of a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), it was clear the two roles would be merged. So this outcome was inevitable,” she said.

However, Jones criticised the lack of public consultation ahead of the decision.

“What is disappointing is the lack of consultation with the public before today’s announcement,” she said.
“When we see issues in policing, such as in the recent BBC documentary about issues in the MET, it is right that there is strong effective independent governance of policing. PCC’s have made that happen.”

Jones was keen to reassure local residents that the change would not immediately affect policing governance in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

“Firstly, I need to make clear to the people of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight that this will not have a direct impact here,” she explained.
“For us, the position is unchanged because Hampshire and the Solent Mayoral Combined County Authority will be formed in 2026, and PCC powers are due to be transferred to the mayor’s office in 2027.”

Reflecting on her tenure since being elected in 2021, Jones highlighted a number of achievements during her time in office.

“Since my election in 2021, I have funded 815 additional police officers; launched a highly successful named Local Bobby scheme which has since been rolled out nationally; reopened 8 police stations; and introduced a Victims Hub and invested £11m every year in victim and perpetrator support programmes.
Knife crime has also significantly reduced and my funding of the UKPAC initiative is seeing prolific shoplifters targeted and local businesses protected,” she said.

Jones emphasised that direct accountability to the public had been one of the key strengths of the PCC model.

“Having a single, visible local leader – answerable to the public – has improved scrutiny and transparency, ensuring policing deliver on the issues that matter most to local communities,” she said.
“Whatever follows in our place must be rooted in local and national accountability, clear and identifiable leadership and connected to local communities. The public deserve nothing less.”

The government’s plans to merge PCC roles into mayoral offices form part of a broader push toward regional devolution, with all areas of England expected to be covered by elected mayors by the end of the decade.