The MP or Stoke-on-Trent North and Kidsgrove has said that "scrapping police commissioners Is a victory for frontline officers and common sense".

The Labour MP, David Williams, has welcomed government plans to scrap police and crime commissioners and to use the savings to put more officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) back on our streets. 

Speaking in Parliament, Mr Williams said he supported the reforms and urged ministers to reinvest the money saved to boost frontline policing. 

David Williams MP said: "In Stoke-on-Trent and Kidsgrove, proposals are being put forward to take hardworking PCSOs off the beat during the evenings. 

"I'm currently campaigning against this alongside my colleague, Dr Allison Gardner MP, the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent South, and hundreds of residents have now signed our petition to save our PCSOs. 

"That's why I welcome today's announcement to abolish the role of Police and Crime Commissioner. 

"My constituents regularly tell me – and I agree - that money would be far better spent on visible, frontline policing rather than on extra layers of management." 

The announcement follows proposals to cut PCSO hours and pay under the Conservative Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Ben Adams and his Deputy, David Evans. 

Mr Williams said the proposals show a clear difference between the parties. 

He said: "Tories cut the police. Reform ignore them. It is only Labour that is backing our hard-working and committed PCSOs. 

"These officers do vital work building relationships in our communities and helping to prevent crime before it happens. We should be supporting them, not cutting their hours and pay." 

Responding in the Commons, Policing Minister Sarah Jones MP said: "I couldn't agree more with my honourable friend. 

"PCSOs do an incredibly important job building relationships with communities and provide vital intelligence to help prevent crime. I want to see more PCSOs on our streets." 

Ben Adams, Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has previously defended the proposals claiming that they are supported by evidence and will help Staffordshire Police get the best value out of its staff. 

Mr Adams said: "The proposed changes to PCSOs' working hours maintain the number of hours currently delivered, and are based on clear evidence of what PCSOs currently do and, importantly, how the force sees this vital role developing in the future. 

"The proposals reflect demand, allowing PCSOs to be in the right places at the right times to offer community engagement and visibility, and to tackle town centre ASB, shoplifting and other local issues at the most appropriate times. 

"Delivering the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee means forces have a duty to get the best value out of all staff, which includes reviewing shift patterns, role expectations and role consistency around evidenced demand." 

The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, confirmed that the system of elected police and crime commissioners will be phased out by 2028, with their powers handed to mayors or local council leaders. 

The Home Office has said the move will deliver significant savings for the taxpayer, enabling an extra £20 million per year to be invested in frontline policing each year – enough to fund around 320 constables.