Police bosses spent more than £100m of taxpayer cash in three years including hotel bills
PEN-pushing police overlords have swallowed up more than £100million of taxpayer cash in the past three years, an investigation has found.
Police and Crime Commissioners’ spiralling costs were dubbed a “scandal”.
Analysis shows since 2019 they have spent £102.2million of public money on operating costs.
The Warwickshire commissioner put a £500 hotel bill on expenses, while Surrey’s employs three staff to manage her media.
PCCs are elected political positions — on an average 33 per cent turnout — and oversee the forces in their areas.
The Lib Dems, who unearthed the figures, said the spending could pay for an extra 3,830 community officers.
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Of 26 forces which responded to information requests, the West Midlands PCC blew the most with £7.9million, followed by Hampshire with £7.4million.
The PPCs themselves pocket an annual salary of between £66,000 and £100,000.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “These pencil-pushing commissioners need to be scrapped. Why is taxpayers’ money funding social media over bobbies on the beat? It is a scandal.”
Surrey commissioner Lisa Townsend defended her team’s work and her extra media staff.
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She added: “We have secured almost £9million in funding for services helping some of the most vulnerable in the county.”