Emily Spurrell has emerged as one of the most influential and forward-thinking figures in modern British policing. As the elected Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Merseyside, she has reshaped how communities engage with law enforcement and how policing accountability is perceived in the UK. Known for her progressive ideas, compassionate leadership, and tireless advocacy for victims’ rights, Emily Spurrell stands as a symbol of change in the country’s public safety landscape.
Early Life and Education
Emily Elizabeth Spurrell was born on 1 November 1987 in Greater Manchester, England. From an early age, she was drawn to issues of fairness, equality, and civic participation. She later attended the University of Leeds, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Parliamentary Studies.
Her university years deepened her understanding of the structures of government and the importance of public service. Her early experiences, particularly working on campaigns and local initiatives, inspired her to dedicate her career to improving safety and justice within local communities.
Entry into Local Politics
Emily Spurrell began her political journey as a councillor for the Mossley Hill ward in Liverpool in 2012. As a member of the Labour and Co-operative Party, she quickly gained recognition for her integrity and drive to make communities safer.
During her time on Liverpool City Council, she served as Cabinet Member for Communities and Safer Neighbourhoods. In this role, she oversaw initiatives that targeted domestic abuse, anti-social behaviour, and community safety. She worked closely with grassroots organisations and local leaders to design policies that genuinely reflected residents’ needs.
Her leadership style was marked by empathy, evidence-based decision-making, and the conviction that prevention is more powerful than punishment. These qualities would later define her tenure as Police and Crime Commissioner.
Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner
In 2017, Emily Spurrell was appointed Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside. This position gave her direct experience with the criminal justice system and the challenges facing modern policing.
As Deputy PCC, she led several vital initiatives, including improving support for victims of domestic abuse, expanding services for survivors of sexual violence, and enhancing community partnerships aimed at reducing reoffending. She played a key role in advocating for a living wage for all police staff and in strengthening policies against modern slavery and human trafficking.
Her work was widely praised for its balance of compassion and practicality. However, in 2019, she stepped down from her post after a change in political circumstances, though she continued to campaign for community safety and equality across the Liverpool City Region.
Election as Police and Crime Commissioner
Emily Spurrell was first elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Merseyside in May 2021. Her victory was not just political; it was a testament to the trust that local residents placed in her. She campaigned on three central promises:
-
To rebuild trust between communities and the police.
-
To support victims of crime with dignity and respect.
-
To promote fairness, transparency, and accountability in policing.
Upon taking office, she quickly began delivering on her commitments. She launched new projects focused on crime prevention, improved victim support systems, and made community engagement a central feature of her leadership.
Re-election and National Recognition
In 2024, Emily Spurrell was re-elected with an overwhelming majority, demonstrating public confidence in her leadership and results. That same year, she was elected Chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), a role that allowed her to influence policing policy across England and Wales.
Her focus as Chair has been to strengthen collaboration between police forces, improve national responses to violence against women and girls, and advocate for greater transparency across all areas of policing.
Policy Priorities and Key Initiatives
1. Supporting Victims and Survivors
One of Emily Spurrell’s most significant accomplishments is her creation of Victim Care Merseyside, a service dedicated to supporting victims of crime, regardless of whether they have reported the incident to the police. Through this initiative, thousands of individuals have received emotional, practical, and legal support.
She has also prioritised funding for organisations that work with survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crimes, and modern slavery. Her approach ensures that no victim is left behind and that services are inclusive and trauma-informed.
2. Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls
Emily Spurrell has been a leading voice in the national movement to combat violence against women and girls. She launched multi-agency strategies bringing together local councils, police forces, charities, and health services to address this issue at every level—from prevention to prosecution.
She has championed education programmes that promote respect, challenge misogyny, and teach young people about healthy relationships. Her long-term vision is to build a society where women and girls feel safe in every public and private space.
3. Strengthening Neighbourhood Policing
Another core focus for Emily Spurrell has been restoring the visibility of local policing. She believes that trust grows when residents see officers regularly in their communities, not just when crime occurs.
Her office has worked to increase the number of neighbourhood officers, improve their training, and provide communities with more opportunities to communicate directly with law enforcement. She also introduced public scrutiny meetings where citizens can ask questions and hold policing officials accountable.
4. Crime Prevention and Youth Engagement
For Spurrell, the most effective way to reduce crime is to stop it before it happens. She launched the Youth Diversion Fund, which invests in programmes that provide young people with positive alternatives to criminal activity.
These initiatives include sports clubs, creative arts programmes, and mentoring projects designed to build confidence and purpose among youth. Her philosophy is rooted in prevention through opportunity—helping young people channel their energy toward positive outcomes rather than crime.
5. Fighting Organised Crime and Serious Violence
Under her leadership, Merseyside Police has intensified efforts to dismantle organised crime networks. She has overseen significant reductions in serious violence, firearm discharges, and knife-related incidents.
Her strategic focus on intelligence-led policing, combined with community partnerships, has strengthened the region’s resilience against gang activity and drug trafficking. She continues to emphasise rehabilitation and reintegration alongside enforcement.
6. Accountability and Transparency
Transparency has been one of the cornerstones of Emily Spurrell’s leadership. She holds regular public forums, publishes detailed reports on police performance, and ensures that decision-making processes are open to scrutiny.
This approach not only builds public confidence but also encourages collaboration between citizens and the police. By making data and decision-making accessible, she reinforces the principle that policing exists to serve, not control, the community.
7. Investment and Funding
Despite national cuts to police budgets, Spurrell has managed to secure millions of pounds in additional funding for Merseyside. These funds have been allocated to victim services, community safety projects, and mental health initiatives.
She continues to advocate for fairer national funding to ensure that police forces across the country can maintain strong, well-trained teams equipped to handle modern challenges.
Leadership Style and Public Perception
Emily Spurrell’s leadership style combines professionalism with compassion. She is known for being approachable, articulate, and deeply engaged with the public. She listens to residents’ concerns and ensures that their voices shape her policies.
Her communication skills and hands-on involvement in community events have earned her respect across political lines. She frequently visits local projects, schools, and police stations to stay informed about real-world challenges.
Challenges Ahead
Despite her many successes, Spurrell continues to face significant challenges. Persistent funding shortages, the rising complexity of digital crime, and public scepticism about police integrity are ongoing concerns.
She has also highlighted the strain placed on police officers due to mental health-related incidents, calling for greater investment in specialist support services. Balancing immediate policing demands with long-term preventive strategies remains a delicate task.
Vision for the Future
Emily Spurrell’s long-term vision is simple yet ambitious: safer, stronger, and fairer communities. She believes that achieving this requires collaboration across sectors—policing, education, health, and social care.
Her focus for the coming years includes expanding early-intervention programmes, improving responses to hate crime, and enhancing protection for vulnerable individuals. She continues to advocate for more women in leadership roles within policing and for building a culture rooted in respect and accountability.
Conclusion
Emily Spurrell has proven herself to be more than just a public official—she is a reformer, a community advocate, and a compassionate leader. Through her vision, Merseyside has seen a shift toward proactive policing, stronger victim support, and greater trust between the public and law enforcement.
Her work reflects a broader transformation taking place in modern British policing—one that values prevention, transparency, and human dignity above all else. As she continues into her second term and her national leadership role, Emily Spurrell remains a powerful voice for safety, equality, and justice across the United Kingdom.
