The West Midlands Mayor is to take over policing in the region after the Government approved a move for the transfer of powers. The role of the West Midlands Police and Commissioner is set to be abolished after the Home Secretary accepted a request from Mayor Andy Street to take over policing powers. The move by Conservative Mayor Mr Street had sparked a bitter row with the Labour PCC, who has accused him of a "cynical" and "undemocratic" power grab. The Government's decision means powers are set to be transferred to the Mayor at the next election in May 2024. It would bring the region into line with London and Greater Manchester, where elected Mayors already oversee the police. Mr Foster, however, believes the move is politically motivated and pointed out a Tory PCC had never been elected in the West Midlands. Mr Street said crime was out of control in the region and a new approach was needed. The public will ultimately still get the chance to choose at the next Mayoral election in May. Giving his reaction, Mr Street posted on X: "My request for the Mayor to take on Police and Crime Commissioner powers from May has been agreed by the Home Secretary tonight. Crime has doubled in eight years and our force is now in special measures. "We cannot go on like this. I'll set out my plan of action in due course." But Mr Foster said: "I deeply disagree with the Mayor's hostile takeover, because firstly, he is abolishing people's right to vote, so that he can appoint one of his friends to the role instead; secondly, preventing, tackling and reducing crime will not be his top priority, and thirdly, this is a cynical and divisive power grab, that is in no-one's interests save that of the Mayor. "The Mayor has made this decision, because his party have stood for election to the role of Police and Crime Commissioner four times and been defeated every time. That is because his party is not trusted by the people of the West Midlands, to prevent, tackle and reduce crime. "There is no local democratic support for this cynical and divisive power grab. The Mayor is attempting to achieve through the backdoor, what his party have been incapable of achieving through the ballot box." In other news: - Politics and People Editor Jane Haynes has a special investigation into the state of B&Bs 1,400 children in Birmingham call home.
- Coventry City Council bosses say they will have to make cuts to avoid bankruptcy next year. Ellie Brown has the latest.
- Ellie also reports how more bin strikes are looming in Coventry.
- A Black Country MP has called for more support for her constituents and says kids there are among the poorest in the country. Agenda Editor Richard Guttridge reports.
- Council bosses are to invite landowners to put forward sites including green belt space which to help build thousands of new homes. Gurdip Thandi reports.
- Plans have been lodged to build a huge new student accommodation complex containing more than 1,200 bedrooms in Birmingham city centre. Midlands Business Editor Tamlyn Jones reports.
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