Humberside PCC Comments on Landmark National Policing Reforms

Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Jonathan Evison has issued a robust response to the Government’s newly published White Paper “From Local to National: A New Model for Policing”.

While welcoming the drive for modernised national standards, the PCC has vowed to ensure the region’s unique local needs are not sacrificed in a move toward centralisation.

The White Paper outlines a significant structural shift for British policing, including creation of a National Police Service (NPS) to lead the fight against serious organised crime, and a transition from the elected PCC model to a Police and Crime Board by May 2028.

A Position of Strength

PCC Evison highlighted that under his governance, the force has reached its highest officer numbers since 2008, through sound financial planning and a robust reserves strategy.

“In Humberside, I haven’t waited for a White Paper to tell us to prioritise our residents. We have built a high-performing force that is the envy of many. The expertise we have gained in managing this growth is directly transferable to a national model, but it must not come at the cost of local accountability.”

Concerns Over Centralisation and ‘League Tables’

The White Paper proposes a new performance framework with league-table style measures. PCC Evison challenged the efficacy of this approach, noting that Humberside’s success is rooted in an ethos of “doing the right thing” rather than chasing arbitrary benchmarks.

“Targets can drive poor decision-making. Outcomes matter. Over-reliance on centrally managed performance targets risks skewing priorities away from locally defined safety concerns toward meeting numerical benchmarks that may not reflect real community experience.”

The PCC also expressed scepticism regarding the 2028 transition. He warned that replacing a single, visible, and democratically elected PCC with a multi-member Board could dilute the link between the taxpayer and the police, effectively stripping the public of their right to choose their Local Policing Lead.

Navigating the ‘New World’

While acknowledging the benefits of a ‘British FBI’ to handle borderless cyber-crime and fraud – potentially freeing up local officers for ‘high-street’ issues like shoplifting – PCC Evison raised concerns regarding regional mergers:

• Regional Risks: Moving to regional serious organised crime forces risks Humberside losing resources to larger conurbations like Leeds or Sheffield.
• Public Sentiment: In a recent survey, only 14.8% of the Humberside public were convinced that a regional force would bring any local benefit.
• Professional Licensing: PCC Evison questions the introduction of mandatory professional licensing for officers, calling it a “wasted focus” given the force’s already rigorous vetting and training standards.

A Promise to Residents

“My message to the people of Hull, the East Riding, and Northern Lincolnshire is simple: Governance may evolve, but the mission remains the same. I will continue to advocate strongly for your interests, ensuring that reforms enhance – not diminish – the quality, responsiveness, and accountability of policing at the local level.”