The Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner has reacted with dismay to the announcement by the government that it is to axe this post in England and Wales.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has described the introduction of elected PCCs as a ‘failed experiment’ and from 2028 their existing role of setting an annual budget, appointing chief constables and producing a policing plan will be handed to elected mayors or council chiefs.

However, Dorset’s PCC David Sidwick said in a statement: ‘The announcement from the Home Office is beyond disappointing for many reasons.

‘To announce this without any consultation or satisfactory advanced warning, and with no tangible detailed plans for how scrutiny of Dorset Police will happen beyond 2028 is baffling. This move raises more questions over the future of accountability in policing than it answers.

‘I utterly refute the criticism that PCCs are a so-called ‘failed experiment’. When done properly, with a strategic Police and Crime Plan where priorities are set by the people and enacted on their behalf, this works. This is what PCCs should be doing; acting on behalf of the public, as we are doing in Dorset.’

Mr Sidwick continued: ‘I urgently call on the Home Secretary to show me the details of how they intend to continue the necessary level of scrutiny policing requires, as well as how they plan to continue to provide the same level of service to prevent crime, reduce reoffending and support victims. Reassurance on this final matter alone is vital and imperative.

‘I fear these new arrangements will only benefit large metropolitan areas, as we have seen with the funding formula, and once again, leave Dorset and other more rural counties behind. Local priorities and expertise will be lost as policing agendas are set by large regions and central government, rather than those who know their counties and I am deeply concerned that those who will suffer will be the people of Dorset.’

He added: ‘Let me make it clear, while I remain PCC until 2028, every ounce of effort I have will be put into making certain we deliver the Police and Crime Plan, set by the people of this county. By holding the Chief Constable to account, overseeing the budget, lobbying for vital changes to the funding formula, and supporting victims of crime, I am focused on delivering for each and every resident to ensure Dorset remains one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit.’

The post of PCC was introduced by the Coalition government more than a decade ago and its abolition now is expected to save around £100million.

Supporters of the scheme hoped the post would increase policing accountability for local communities.

But the PCC elections have seen relatively low turnouts at their elections. When Mr Sidwick was re-elected in 2024 the turnout was 26 percent.

And not even all Conservative politicians are mourning the end of the PCCs.

After the announcement was made former Bournemouth West Tory MP Sir Conor Burns wrote on X: ‘The decision to abolish the role of Police and Crime Commissioner is warmly welcome. They were a failed experiment. The office grew fat on expenses and remote from the electorate. Turnout showed voters didn’t see the point.’

He added: ‘…[I]n Dorset they became a PR tool of the Chief Constable.’