A seismic shift is coming to British policing. The current system, built for a bygone era, is facing a complete overhaul designed to confront the complexities of 21st-century crime.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is spearheading the creation of a new National Police Service – envisioned as a “British FBI” – a centralized force equipped with cutting-edge technology and elite talent. The goal is to aggressively target dangerous criminals involved in fraud, online child exploitation, and organized crime networks.
This isn’t about replacing local forces, but empowering them. By taking on the burden of complex, national-level investigations, the NPS will free up regional police to concentrate on the issues directly impacting their communities – strengthening local presence and responsiveness.
At the helm of this new structure will be a National Police Commissioner, the most senior law enforcement official in the country. This commissioner will establish nationwide standards for training and oversee the procurement of advanced tools like facial recognition technology, ensuring consistent capabilities across all forces.
The NPS will be rolled out in phases, working in close collaboration with existing agencies like the National Crime Agency (NCA) and Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP). It will initially cover England and Wales, with the ability to extend operations throughout the wider United Kingdom.
Leaders within existing policing structures are voicing strong support. A joint statement from the Metropolitan Police, CTP, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) acknowledged the need for a modern response to modern crime, calling the NPS an “ambitious step” towards uniting the country’s most capable teams.
However, the success of this transformation hinges on maintaining the crucial connection between police and the public. Neighbourhood officers, with their intimate knowledge of local areas and established relationships, remain vital for disrupting crime and countering terrorism.
The City of London Police, currently holding national responsibility for fraud, expressed confidence in retaining that role during the restructuring. They emphasized their critical function in protecting the UK’s economic security and supporting national growth.
Former head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Neil Basu, believes the NPS will be “far more capable” as a unified national security system, more effectively tackling major crime, organized criminal activity, and all forms of terrorism.
This move aligns with previous calls for reform from figures like Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, who has advocated for removing counter-terrorism responsibilities from his force. Graeme Biggar, director general of the NCA, also supports the proposals.
The Home Secretary is also considering a reduction in the number of police forces, currently standing at 43, believing the existing structure is inefficient. This potential consolidation aims to create fewer, larger, and more effective regional forces.
While the plans are gaining momentum, concerns have been raised about the potential cost and disruption of creating regional forces, as well as the risk of further distancing police from the communities they serve. The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) voiced these reservations.
Further changes are on the horizon, including the planned abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners by 2028, a move expected to save at least £100 million and redirect funds towards neighbourhood policing. Mayors and council leaders will assume their responsibilities.
