Elected police vote to go ahead as peers end block

CONTROVERSIAL plans to introduce elected Police Commissioners next year will go ahead after Liberal Democrat Peers admitted defeat in their attempt to block the move.

People in Yorkshire will now go to the polls next November to elect the first commissioners who will oversee each of the region’s four police forces after the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act received Royal Assent.

Former North Yorkshire Police Authority vice-chairwoman Baroness Harris of Richmond, one of the Liberal Democrat Peers who has tried to block the plans, branded the legislation a “defective and dangerous Bill” as the House of Lords backed down from prolonging the battle.

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The law will also allow councils to force late night pubs and bars to contribute towards the cost of extra policing and promises communities more of a say on controversial licensing applications.

But it is the introduction of commissioners, with the power to set policing priorities and hire and fire chief constables, which is the most contentious. Critics claim it will politicise the police, but the Government insists it will make the police more accountable.

Policing Minister Nick Herbert said: “We have had a full debate on these reforms and Parliament has spoken. Now the focus should move to preparing for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, identifying the best possible candidates for the job – including independents – and ensuring effective transition from police authorities. We will also continue to work with police leaders to develop the Protocol, Strategic Policing Requirement and regulations governing the appointment and dismissal of chief constables to ensure that their operational independence, and the ability to deal with national threats, is protected.”

The first elections were due to take place next May but were pushed back by the Government after pressure from the Liberal Democrats, who were concerned about the impact of holding the vote on the same day as local elections.

Comment: Page 12.