45Police area change
(1)This section applies where the Commission is conducting a review of one or more principal areas under section 23.
(2)In addition to the changes which may be recommended under section 23(3) the Commission may, in connection with any principal area boundary change, recommend such changes to a police area or areas (including changes resulting in a reduction or increase in the number of police areas) as it considers appropriate.
(3)The Secretary of State may, after receiving a report containing recommendations from the Commission in relation to a review conducted under section 23—
(a)by order made by statutory instrument implement any recommendations for change to a police area, with or without modification,
(b)if proposing to implement the recommendations with modification, direct the Commission to carry out a further review under section 23 of such principal areas affected by the recommendations as may be specified in the direction, or
(c)decide to take no action in respect of the recommendations.
(4)The Commission must comply with a direction under subsection (3)(b).
(5)An order made under this section may include—
(a)provision for the police and crime commissioner for a police area affected by the order to become the police and crime commissioner for a police area resulting from the order,
(b)provision for the holding of an election for the police and crime commissioner for any police area resulting from the order,
(c)such incidental, consequential, supplemental or transitional provision as the Secretary of State considers necessary or expedient.
(6)An order including provision of the kind mentioned in subsection (5)(b) may require the election in question to be held before the alteration of the police areas takes effect.
(7)An order under this section may apply or modify any enactment or charter.
(8)An order made under this section may not provide for a principal area to be divided between 2 or more police areas.
(9)No order may be made under this section until the expiry of a period of 6 weeks beginning with the date on which the Secretary of State receives the recommendations.