Lancashire Police Authority has welcomed an invitation by the Public Bill Committee for people to submit their views on the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill.  One of the proposals of the Bill is that police authorities would be scrapped from 2012 and replaced by Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) who would hold the police to account on behalf of the public.

Lancashire Police Authority Chair Councillor Malcolm Doherty said:  “It is very important that the public take this opportunity to tell Parliament what they think of plans to introduce locally elected Police and Crime Commissioners.  This is a significant opportunity for the public to have their say on the government’s new governance proposals.

“Lancashire Police Authority, the Association of Police Authorities and others have expressed concern at introducing PCCs. These concerns are around the significant costs of holding elections for PCCs, the politicisation of policing, and the timings of elections.

“This consultation will now provide an opportunity for a cross-party group of MPs to listen to public views on the government plans.”

The public can respond to the consultation by sending their views to scrutiny@parliament.uk.   The views expressed will be considered by the Public Bill Committee - a cross-party group of 20 MPs.  

For further details of police authority concerns about the proposals please go to www.apa.police.uk.