THE Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent has defended the effectiveness of his job after an independent report suggested it should be scrapped.

Lord Stevens's report for the Labour Party said the introduction of PCCs had been a “failed experiment”. It also said the current PCC model is “systemically flawed as a method of democratic governance and should be discontinued in its present form at the end of the term of office of the 41 serving PCCs”.

The report of the Independent Police Commission, entitled “Policing for a Better Britain”, listed six reasons for this conclusion which included a poor turnout at the PCC elections, and the relationships between the PCCs and chief constables.

Earlier this year, the Argus exclusively revealed how Gwent PCC Ian Johnston forced then chief constable Carmel Napier to retire or be removed from her job because he had “grave concerns” about her "performance and behaviour".

Responding to the report, Ian Johnston said: “We agree with the recommendation of creating more effective partnerships in order to prevent crime and reduce harm in our communities. However, we disagree with the comments that the PCC model is systematically flawed as a method of democratic governance.

“I believe the role has provided more of a voice for local people for the first time where setting the policing priorities for their areas are concerned. The principle form of democratic accountability that underpins PCCs is sound and needs protecting. I realise that the report was commissioned by the Labour Party but personally I would have liked to have seen more cross party involvement."

Mr Johnston also rejected the report’s suggestions to change the current structures of the police forces. The report suggested Wales could be better off if it merged together to create one police force as is the case in Scotland, for the introduction of a single Wales and England force, or mergers cutting 43 forces to 10.

In response, Mr Johnston added: "With regards to comments about the creation of one National Police Force for Wales, I believe the strength of policing in Wales is in its local delivery and to take this away would be a backward step.”

The UK government, which is responsible for policing in Wales and England, does not have to implement any of the recommendations made in the report.