Father Paris Haines Speaks Out! - Why Axing the Police and Crime Commissioner Role in Swindon Is a Bad Idea

Why Axing the Police and Crime Commissioner Role in Swindon Is a Bad Idea

The proposal to axe the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role in Swindon is not just misguided it risks undermining the very foundations of local policing oversight and community accountability. While the role has its critics, removing it entirely creates more problems than it solves.

First, the PCC is one of the few genuinely direct democratic mechanisms in policing. Residents vote for someone whose sole responsibility is to represent their priorities in shaping policing strategy, budget allocation, and the wider crime-reduction agenda. Taking that away removes an important layer of accountability and distances decision making from the communities affected by crime.

Second, policing is not a side portfolio. It requires dedicated focus, expertise, and oversight. Folding these responsibilities into another office however well-intentioned almost guarantees diluted attention. Swindon faces unique local challenges, from youth violence to antisocial behaviour, and losing a role designed to concentrate on those issues risks weakening the tailored responses the area needs.

Third, PCCs play a crucial role in championing victims and commissioning support services. This isn’t a bureaucratic detail it directly impacts people dealing with trauma and vulnerability. Eliminating the PCC introduces uncertainty about who will advocate for victims’ needs or ensure continuity of services.

Finally, there’s the practical problem of accountability. If policing oversight becomes blurred or buried within wider political structures, the public loses clarity on who is responsible for outcomes good or bad. Transparency should be strengthened, not eroded.

In short, scrapping the PCC in Swindon may appear like administrative tidying, but it actually risks centralising control, weakening local voices, and reducing the focus on policing that communities rely on. Reform the role if necessary but don’t remove one of the few positions directly answerable to the public on crime and policing.