DEPUTY MAYOR APPOINTMENT CONFIRMED BY POLICE AND CRIME PANEL

Published 21 May 2025 at 12:45pm

South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard’s preferred candidate for Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs, has been confirmed in post, in a unanimous decision, at a meeting of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel last week (Thursday 15 May 2025). 

As Deputy Mayor, Kilvinder will work with the Mayor to oversee and improve policing and criminal justice services, tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and to commission services to support victims and reduce offending.  

She will deliver the Police and Crime Plan, chair the Local Criminal Justice Board, chair the Safer Roads Partnership, and have close oversight of the Violence Reduction Unit.  

She will also lead the development and delivery of the Mayor’s manifesto priorities: establishing a Community Confidence Board to improve trust and confidence in the police and criminal justice system; protecting young people by preventing knife crime and taking a zero-tolerance approach when it occurs; and adopting a ‘Vision Zero’ strategy to make our roads safer, with a plan to eliminate deaths and serious injuries in South Yorkshire. 

In addition to her responsibilities as Deputy Mayor, Kilvinder will also take a lead role on the Mayor’s manifesto commitment on equalities by acting as the Equalities Commissioner, promoting equalities within all of the Mayoral Combined Authority’s work and ensuring the voices of the diverse South Yorkshire’s communities are heard and inform policy and practice.  

The Mayor will retain the overall responsibility for policing and crime and will be solely responsible for agreeing the policing budget and police precept, the publication of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Plan and the appointment and dismissal of the Chief Constable, as these responsibilities cannot be delegated in law. 

Kilvinder, who is from Yorkshire, has had a varied and extensive career spanning over 30 years in the public sector working across the criminal justice system, specialising in public protection and safeguarding.  

She began her career as a probation officer, working with offenders and supporting their rehabilitation and later with victims of serious crime before becoming a senior civil servant. More recently she has served seven years as Regional Probation Director in London before transferring to Yorkshire and the Humber, where, for the last 12 months she led a workforce of up to 3,000 people across departments such as courts, offender management, prisons and multi-agency teams. 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: "Since last year, when we integrated the powers of the office of Police and Crime Commissioner into the Mayor’s role, I’ve been working every day to make sure people across South Yorkshire are safe, and feel safe, whoever they are, wherever they are, whenever they are there. But I know all too well, that for too many people across our communities, the world can still feel like a dangerous place. There’s a lot of work still to do to make that vision a reality. 

"That’s why I’m delighted that Kilvinder Vigurs is now joining our team as the new Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime in South Yorkshire; bringing huge expertise, experience and insight to the MCA and our work with South Yorkshire Police. With thirty years of experience within and across the criminal justice system, she will bring a high challenge, high support approach." 

Kilvinder Vigurs said: “It’s an honour to be appointed as Deputy Mayor for Police and Crime for South Yorkshire. I’m passionate about building safer, fairer communities, and I look forward to working with the Mayor, our police, partners and—most importantly—our residents to tackle crime, support victims, and build trust and confidence in our criminal justice system.  

“Having spent my career working across probation, courts, and prisons, I know the challenges we face—but I also know the difference we can make when we work together with purpose and compassion. 

“I’m committed to delivering the Mayor’s vision, particularly in protecting young people, reducing harm on our roads, and ensuring that every voice in South Yorkshire is heard and valued.” 

Cllr Trevor Smith, Chair of the Police and Crime Panel, added: "The Panel was unanimous in its decision and we are pleased to recommend Kilvinder for this pivotal role and we very much look forward to working with her and the Mayor.  

“Her knowledge of the criminal justice system, expertise and commitment to public service were strongly evidenced at the hearing this morning and the Panel felt confident that her leadership will help to drive meaningful change and enhance transparency, trust, and collaboration." 

Kilvinder will start her role as Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime on Monday 2 June.