Police And Crime Commissioner Countdown Is On

29 May 2012

People will be able to choose who will hold to account their local police for the services they provide when Cambridgeshire and Peterborough’s first Police and Crime Commissioner is elected on Thursday 15 November 2012.

The commissioner will replace the Police Authority and will take up post on 22 November. Police and Crime Commissioners will have responsibility for delivering an efficient and effective police service in their area.

They will set policing priorities, the police budget and issue police and crime grants through a police and crime plan. They will provide strong accountability of the police, making the police answerable to the public. The Chief Constable’s role is unchanged and will remain in control of his officers and staff.

The primary role of the commissioner will be to support and when necessary, challenge the Chief Constable. They must also work with agencies such as local authorities, the NHS and the Probation Trust to ensure there is a joined up approach to preventing and reducing crime.

The commissioner will serve a four year term and will ultimately be held to account for their performance by voters at the ballot box. A police and crime panel, made up of representatives from each of the city and district councils and two independent members, will also consider in public how the commissioner delivers his or her functions.

Victor Lucas, Vice Chairman of Cambridgeshire Police Authority, said: "The Police Authority is working with the constabulary and partner authorities to ensure a smooth transition to the new governance arrangements. The legislation passed through Parliament last September and we are now forging ahead with arrangements to ensure that the transition is successful and that the new commissioner will be well equipped to serve Peterborough’s communities and the rest of Cambridgeshire."

For more information or if you are interested in standing for election as Police and Crime Commissioner, visit The Home Office or Cambridgeshire Police Authority

To be eligible to vote on November 15, you must:

  • Be 18 or older on November 15
  • Live in Peterborough or elsewhere in Cambridgeshire
  • Be registered to vote

Police and Crime Commissioners will: 

  • Award police and crime grants to organisations who will support their community safety priorities
  • Publish an annual police and crime plan
  • Set local police and crime objectives
  • Engage with the community
  • Hold the Chief Constable to account (hire and, if necessary, dismiss)
  • Set the policing part of council tax (precept)

Police and crime panels can:

  • Veto the commissioner’s decision on council tax precept
  • Request further information from the crime panels to hold him/her to account for performance
  • Call the commissioner and Chief Constable to public hearings
  • Publicly review the police and crime plan and annual report. Police and Crime Panels are not a replacement for police authorities.

If you have a question about Police and Crime Commissioners, please email police.authority@cambs.pnn.police.uk or write to Cambridgeshire Police Authority, Police Headquarters, Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon, PE29 6NP. Alternatively, you can follow the commissioner feed on Twitter @PCCCambs.

UPDATE: 5 March 2013 A Government minister has praised Peterborough for helping victims of domestic violence get justice. See full press release and video here. 
UPDATE: 12 February 2013 There has been a spate of fires being set in wheelie bins, discarded furniture and some vehicles, across the city. We have teamed up with other agencies, including the fire service to tackle this problem. You can help to prevent these types of offences, by ensuring that wheelie bins are not left in the street after collection, or if they are full, kept in a safe place until they can be emptied. Report any discarded furniture to the local authority so they can make arrangements to collect it. We are also working with youths both in and out of schools to educate them about the dangers of setting fires and asking them to be vigilant when out and about. Please report any suspicious activity around fires to the Police on 101.

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