Leaders on the Yorkshire coast have expressed a mixture of cautious optimism and sharp concern following the release of the government's policing reforms white paper.
While officials in York and North Yorkshire have welcomed the ambition of the plans, their counterparts in Humberside have warned that centralisation could see resources drained away from coastal and rural communities.
Humberside PCC raises alarm over ‘league tables’ and centralisation
Jonathan Evison, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Humberside, has issued a robust response, vowing to protect local interests against what he views as a move toward a less accountable national model. He expressed "grave concerns" that shifting toward regional serious organised crime forces could lead to the East Riding losing resources to larger cities such as Leeds or Sheffield.
Mr Evison was particularly critical of proposed "league-table style" performance measures, arguing that an over-reliance on numerical targets can lead to poor decision-making. He asserted that Humberside’s success is built on "doing the right thing" rather than chasing arbitrary benchmarks.
“Targets can drive poor decision-making. Outcomes matter,” Mr Evison stated, adding that benchmarks often fail to reflect the "real community experience."
Further concerns were raised regarding the 2028 transition, which would see the elected PCC role replaced by a multi-member Police and Crime Board. Mr Evison argued this would "dilute the democratic link" between the public and the police, effectively stripping residents of their right to choose their local policing lead. He noted that in a recent survey, only 14.8% of the public were convinced that a regional force would bring any local benefit.
North Yorkshire focuses on rural and coastal safeguards
In North Yorkshire, the response from Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, Jo Coles, was more welcoming of the paper’s ambition, though she remained focused on the specific challenges of the region. Acknowledging that the force covers an area five times the size of the Metropolitan Police, she emphasised the need for reforms to be implemented fairly across such a vast geography.
Ms Coles stated that she and the Mayor are "determined to do everything we can to keep people in our region safe and feeling safe." She highlighted the unique needs of rural communities that do not benefit from the same "economies of scale" found in major city areas.
Over the coming months, the Deputy Mayor plans to focus on:
- Safeguarding rural policing.
- Maintaining strong and effective local accountability.
- Building public confidence through devolution arrangements.
A push for local accountability
While the white paper proposes a "British FBI" to handle borderless issues like cyber-crime, both regions remain focused on the impact on the ground. Mr Evison questioned the introduction of mandatory professional licensing for officers, describing it as a "wasted focus" given the high standards of training already in place.
Ultimately, leaders in both Humberside and North Yorkshire agree that any structural change must be evidence-led. Ms Coles is scheduled to meet the Policing Minister later this week to ensure the specific challenges facing the coast and rural areas are fully understood.
Addressing his constituents, Mr Evison promised: “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.”
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