Gloucestershire's Police and Crime Commissioner Martin Surl has welcomed a Home Office review into the role.

Home Secretary Priti Patel today announced a review into PCCs, designed to help give the public a greater say over policing.

Measures to be included in the review include raising the profile of PCCs, providing the public better information about their performance, sharing best practise across the country and reviewing the relationship with Chief Constables.

The Home Secretary said: "The British people want to know the police will uphold the law and then be held to account on that basis.

"This review will help to improve accountability, scrutiny and transparency, ensuring Police and Crime Commissioners always put the law-abiding silent majority who voted for them at the centre of their decision-making.

The first stage of the review, which is due to be completed ahead of May's delayed PCC elections, will look at raising standards and improving accountability as well as considering ways of strengthening accountability of fire and rescue services.

There are four Police, Fire and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales.

Mr Surl, who has held the role since it was introduced in 2012 and is vice-chairman of the Association of PCCs, said, "Police and Crime Commissioners welcome this review.

"It is an opportunity to reflect on the learning since the role was created and to help shape and develop it moving forward.

"Since 2012, PCCs have brought increased transparency and direct democratic accountability to policing, providing the public with real say on how it is delivered in their local area."

He continued: "PCCs work to support and hold their Chief Constables to account and have driven focused improvements across the wider criminal justice system, changing the culture to put the needs of victims at its core - ensuring they have access to dedicated help and support services.

"We are committed to reducing crime and keeping our communities safe and welcome the opportunity to increase the visibility and public awareness of the role."

The second stage of the review will focus on longer-term reform, including looking at extra powers for PCCs to fight crime in their areas.

Minister for Crime and Policing Kit Malthouse said: "We are committed to giving the police the powers and resources they need - it's why we're recruiting an additional 20,000 officers and are giving the biggest funding increase to policing in a decade.

"This review will help PCCs to deliver effective police forces who can cut crime and protect their communities.

"It will also ensure voters can hold PCCs accountable for performance - giving the public a stronger voice in matters of crime and justice."

The review will not consider scrapping the PCC model nor review the 43 police force model.

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