‘Hopeless’ crime tsars are handed £1,500 pay boost

CRIME tsars have been awarded a generous pay boost despite an official report revealing many are seen as ‘hopeless’.

Police and Crime Commissioners are getting an average of £1,500 added to their salaries this year plus an extra £3,000 if they oversee fire brigades as well as police forces. They are also in line to receive ‘parachute payments’ if they lose their roles at the next election.

It comes days after a study commissioned by chief constables found some officers see elected PCCs as ‘unhelpful and unprofessional’.

One crime tsar admitted many of his colleagues, were ‘absolutely bleeding hopeless’. The increase of two per cent is the same as that given to police, but rank-and-file leaders said the frontline deserved more. Ché Donald, of the Police Federation, said: ‘PCCs are already on large salaries so a two per cent increase is a significant amount of money, while officers are struggling severely. It’s another example of unfairness.’

The 40 PCCs are paid between £65,000, in small constabularies, and £100,000 a year in large metropolitan areas. The Mail on Sunday disclosed earlier this year that the Home Office asked the Senior Salary Review Body to consider if they deserved more money.

But some PCCs do not think they should get a rise. Kent crime tsar Matthew Scott was ‘disappointed’ officials did not act on his call for a pay freeze.