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Money spent on new police roles defended after claims costs stopping more officers being recruited

Police and crime commissioners in the West Midlands and Staffordshire have defended their spending after it was claimed the cost of their roles was stopping more officers being recruited.

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But David Jamieson and Matthew Ellis say the research by the Taxpayers' Alliance does not take account of the different roles they have to perform and dismissed the pressure group's claim that the PCC costs were a waste of money that could be spent on police officers.

Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said the force needed to 'significantly' improve its approach

The TPA says that the offices of 18 elected commissioners in England and Wales cost more to run in their first full year than the old police authorities they replaced.

While the new system saved the taxpayer £2 million overall, the additional office costs would have been enough for 21,000 police constables' starting salaries, the pressure group claimed.

The TPA said the old Staffordshire Police Authority cost £677,883 in its last year, the PCC office went on to cost £1m in its first year.

West Midlands, as the second largest force in the country, had a police authority that cost £1.8m but the PCC's costs were slightly lower - £1.7m in the first year.

Staffordshire was also said to have four staff to 'promote' the PCC while the West Midlands was listed as having seven - which PCCs said included people working on 'engagement' with the public, not just press officers.

But Staffordshire Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Ellis said: "The figures they have used are flawed because they are based on an HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report that was withdrawn.

"But comparing the PCC with the police authority is like comparing apples with pears.

"We've taken on a lot of the engagement work around understanding what the public thinks and we commission a victim support service which the government has stopped doing across the country.

"The figures also do not take into account that the budgets for community safety have come to PCCs as well."

West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson said the figures showed his office was one of the cheapest in the country per head of population.

"Some of the statistics unfortunately do not paint an accurate picture of our staffing levels," he said.

"Our PR communications team has never numbered more than two individuals, whilst our small team of three public engagement communications personnel are involved in the OPCC's statutory duty to consult with local communities about how policing in the area is delivered, along with speaking to victims of crime, budgetary and financial consultation and putting together the Police and Crime Plan which holds the Chief Constable accountable.

"I remain ever mindful of the need to ensure that my office provides a highly effective, cost effective service to the people of the West Midlands."

Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers were told that the new system of Police and Crime Commissioners wouldn't cost them any more than the authorities they replaced, but this research suggests that's not the case in many parts of the country.

"Those commissioners who have been empire building or stocking their offices with PR staff must be asked whether that money wouldn't have been better spent on bobbies on the beat."

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