THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Essex, Nick Alston, has defended his and the role of commissioner following the recent child abuse scandal in Rotherham.

In a statement signed by the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners board, Mr Alston, along with six other PCC’s, said it would be a backward step to return to an era of invisible and unelected police authorities.

The statement read: “Across the country, PCCs are delivering better scrutiny of police forces. Day by day they are building the strongest possible partnerships between police and the agencies and volunteers who work to keep communities safe.

“Police and Crime Commissioners are elected by local people and are closely in touch with them. They will be directly answerable to local electors at the ballot box in exactly the same fashion as MPs.

“It would be a backward step to return to the era of invisible, unelected police authorities during which so many failures of police leadership occurred without any meaningful oversight.

“There has been legitimate focus on the terrible failures in Rotherham: failures of the council, of the police, of social care and of the PCC. The people of South Yorkshire will now get the chance to elect a new PCC to hold their police force to account and to serve and protect victims.

“The APCC recognises that the legislation surrounding the election and oversight of PCCs can be improved, and is developing proposals for ensuring these issues are addressed.

“All PCCs are committed to working with this government and with the government following the General Election to ensure that victims are supported, communities are kept safe, and most importantly that police forces are challenged and supported to transform into the modern efficient organisations they need to be.”