Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner
Post	Police and Crime Commissioner
Body	Lancashire
Incumbent	Andrew Snowden
Incumbentsince	13 May 2021
Formation	22 November 2012
Inaugural	Clive Grunshaw
Website	Lancashire PCC

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner is an elected official responsible for setting policing priorities and budgets for Lancashire Constabulary, representing public priorities and commissioning victim services across Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen. The commissioner works with the Chief Constable, local authorities such as Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, Blackpool Council and regional bodies including North West Regional Leaders Board and national institutions like the Home Office and College of Policing. The role interacts with criminal justice actors such as the Crown Prosecution Service, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, Victim Support and local community organisations.

Role and responsibilities

The commissioner sets the strategic policing plan and precept in consultation with stakeholders including the Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, chairs meetings with partners such as the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel, engages with MPs from constituencies like Blackpool South (UK Parliament constituency), Lancaster and Fleetwood (UK Parliament constituency), West Lancashire (UK Parliament constituency) and commissions services from providers including NHS England, Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust, Age UK, Barnardo's, Turning Point (charity). The office holds the Chief Constable to account through performance frameworks, publishes annual reports referencing benchmarks from Office for National Statistics crime data, and allocates funding streams involving the Police Transformation Fund and legacy grants from European Social Fund projects. It participates in regional collaboration with agencies such as Greater Manchester Police, Merseytravel, Cumbria Constabulary and national programmes like the National Crime Agency tasking where joint activity is required.

History and establishment

The post was created under the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 as part of reforms enacted by the Cameron ministry following debates in the House of Commons and lobbying from organisations including the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners. The inaugural election followed the restructuring of police governance that had previously relied on police authorities such as the Lancashire Police Authority and local political figures including Sir Bill Taylor. Early holders engaged with legacy policing issues tied to events like the Hillsborough disaster public inquiries and national reviews influenced by reports from Sir Robert Peel-era debates and modern inquiries by Lord Woolf and Sir William Macpherson. The office has evolved alongside shifts in national policy such as austerity measures overseen during the Theresa May ministry and initiatives under the Theresa May and Rishi Sunak administrations.

Elections and officeholders

Elections have used the supplementary vote system introduced alongside other PCC contests, contested by candidates from parties including the Labour Party (UK), Conservative Party (UK), Liberal Democrats (UK), and independents. The first holder was Clive Grunshaw, followed by successors including Geoff Driver and the current incumbent, Andrew Snowden. Campaigns featured endorsements or scrutiny from figures and institutions like Steve Rotheram, Andy Burnham, Police Federation of England and Wales, Trades Union Congress, Local Government Association and prominent MPs including Julie Cooper (politician), Mark Menzies, Gareth Snell. Election issues often referenced high-profile cases investigated by Lancashire Constabulary such as inquiries connected to Blackburn riots, local organised crime linked to operations like Operation Captura, and victim services tied to initiatives advocated by NGOs like Refuge and Women's Aid.

Powers, accountability and oversight

Statutory powers derive from the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, with duties to issue a police and crime plan, set a budget and precept, and appoint or dismiss the Chief Constable subject to confirmation by the Lancashire Police and Crime Panel. Oversight mechanisms include scrutiny by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007-linked panels, audit by the National Audit Office, and inspections by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS). The commissioner coordinates with judicial actors such as Crown Courts and Magistrates' courts and liaises with ministers at the Home Office and select committees of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee. Complaints against the office fall under procedures involving the Independent Office for Police Conduct where relevant.

Initiatives and policies

The office has launched commissioning strategies for victim care referencing providers like SafeLives, invested in technology programmes with partners such as Niche Records Management System suppliers, supported community policing models akin to those promoted by Sir Robert Peel's principles and collaborated on regional violence reduction with the Lancashire Violence Reduction Network. Policy priorities have included rural crime responses in partnership with NFU (National Farmers' Union), cybercrime resilience aligned with National Cyber Security Centre, road safety initiatives alongside Highways England, and custody reforms coordinated with Citizens Advice and Samaritans. Funding allocations have supported victim hubs, restorative justice pilots run with Restorative Justice Council, and diversion schemes coordinated with Youth Offending Teams.

Controversies and criticism

The office has faced scrutiny over budgetary decisions amid cuts linked to national spending reviews under successive chancellors including George Osborne and Philip Hammond, debates over the democratic mandate of elected commissioners noted by critics including Liberty (campaign group), and disputes over handling of high-profile investigations publicised in outlets like BBC News, The Guardian, and LancsLive. Independent reviews have probed commissioning choices and procurement processes criticized by groups such as Transparency International UK; oversight bodies including HMICFRS and the Local Government Ombudsman have issued recommendations. Political controversies have included contested sacking or appointment decisions, legal challenges in tribunals, and public campaigns by community groups including Black Lives Matter (UK) and survivors' organisations engaging with the PCC's victim services policies.

Category:Police and crime commissioners in England