Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Lloyd has praised a report from a Conservative think tank which argues in favour of commissioners being given greater powers.

The report from Policy Exchange, titled 'Power Down: A plan for cheaper, more effective justice', advocates that police and crime commissioners should be handed additional criminal justice and crime prevention responsibilities including the management of youth crime budgets.

Mr Lloyd said: "Ministers have been clear from the start that for maximum impact police and crime commissioners need to be big players in the criminal justice arena. It is time to follow through on these plans."

The report describes the election of police commissioners last November as "a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the balance of power in a system currently almost bereft of local control, financial responsibility or democratic accountability."

The report also calls for the selection of "trailblazer" force areas where commissioners can put themselves forward to be "super PCCs" and test substantial additional powers which would effectively make them local ministers for policing and crime.

Commissioner Lloyd said: "In areas such as Hertfordshire where police performance is strong it is the ‘and crime’ element of the police and crime commissioner role which holds the greatest prize.

"I have been pressing from the start to see swift action on existing commitments to further devolve power and control to commissioners and many of the ideas in this report provide interesting, fresh contributions to the debate."