In a bold move, the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, is proposing the biggest set of changes to the police force in England and Wales since its founding two centuries ago. Faced with an “epidemic of everyday crime” such as shoplifting and phone theft, Mahmood is determined to overhaul the system.
The plan, set to be revealed on Monday, includes a dramatic reduction in the number of police forces from 43 to around a dozen. Police officers will also be required to hold professional licences, similar to doctors and lawyers, which they will need to renew every few years. Additionally, the government wants the power to dismiss Chief Constables deemed unfit for the job and send “crack teams” into failing forces.
The most significant change, however, is the creation of a single national force, expected to be formed by merging the National Crime Agency (NCA) with Counter Terrorism and other elements of national policing. This move is aimed at tackling the rise of international organised crime networks, which often drive the criminality affecting local communities.
Critics argue that larger forces may lose their connection to local communities, and that the principle of operational independence from ministers could be stretched. The Police Federation has also raised concerns about the impact on officer morale and whether the proposed changes will truly make a difference on the ground.
Despite these concerns, senior police officers, including Sir Mark Rowley, have largely endorsed the plans. They argue that the current structure of 43 separate forces is no longer fit for purpose, with many unable to effectively deal with serious and organised crime.
The Home Office insists that the changes will address “ridiculous” anomalies, such as forces buying equipment separately rather than collaborating to secure better deals for taxpayers. The move is also partly driven by the need to address the Home Office’s budget constraints, which have lagged behind other government departments in recent years.
While the government’s mega-majority may help push through the reforms, the process is likely to be arduous and lengthy. Mergers and consultations will take years, and the plans face the risk of opposition in Parliament. Ultimately, the Home Secretary must convince the public that these structural changes will tangibly improve their day-to-day experiences of crime and policing.
