CONTROVERSIAL plans to elect a police commissioner for Hampshire have been delayed by six months – as the cost of the scheme rises.

Ministers have announced that elections for the posts will take place in November 2012. It was originally intended to time the polls to coincide with the local elections in May 2012 in order to keep costs down.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the extra cost, which he said would be £25m across the country, would not fall on cash-strapped police authorities, which are already facing 20 per cent cuts.

John Apter, of Hampshire Police Federation, called for the plans to be scrapped altogether, saying: “If the Government has so much money to use it should be invested back into the police, schools or the NHS rather than wasted on this gimmick.”

He said he had concerns about the politicisation of the police, insisting the current model of Hampshire Police Authority scrutinising the constabulary’s work provided a “healthy mix” and held the police to account effectively.

The Home Office said “weak, invisible police authorities”

would be replaced by democratically elected commissioners.

A spokesman said it was “sensible” to postpone elections after the legislation was delayed by opposition in the House of Lords, claiming this would allow more time for independent candidates to come forward.

The Liberal Democrats are believed to have lobbied for the date change because of fears they would suffer at the ballot box if the local elections were dominated by law and order issues.

Hampshire Police Authority member Cllr Jeremy Moulton said: “I have been a consistent supporter of elected police commissioners for many years and am very disappointed with the news.

“Bringing in elected commissioners is a way of strengthening police accountability and I think it would be a very positive move for Hampshire. The reason for holding the vote on the same day as a local election was to keep the costs down and ensure a good turnout. If the costs now go up because of a deal to keep the Lib Dems happy I think this is quite wrong.”