Leading local Liberal Democrat says Scrap police commissioners

Hinckley Lib Dem Councillor Michael Mullaney has welcomed the decision that Police and crime commissioners would be scrapped under Liberal Democrat manifesto proposals.

Cllr Michael Mullaney said "Liberal Democrats in Leicestershire have consistently opposed Police Commissioners since this daft idea was first suggested.

"We refused to stand a candidate in the Police Commissioner elections because it was politicising the Police. The public agreed and the turnout in Hinckley and Bosworth was a mere 15%.

"Our police should be more accountable and the body which oversees their work more democratic.

"At the moment there is little evidence police commissioners are performing the task adequately."

It comes as South Yorkshire Police Commissioner Shaun Wright was forced to resign following the Rotherham child abuse scandal.

The party's-pre manifesto was published recently and it puts forward plans to create police boards made up of councillors from across a force area with no need for fresh elections.

A new West Midlands police commissioner was recently elected off the back of a near 10 per cent turn out on polling day.

Michael added: "We need a police watchdog which is more accountable to the public, not less."