Shabana Mahmood has introduced major changes to policing, marking the most significant shake-up in law enforcement in two centuries.
The Home Secretary has pledged to overhaul outdated structures, cautioning that current arrangements are setting chief constables up for failure. She has revealed plans to reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales, alongside expanding the use of AI technologies such as facial recognition across all regions.
Ms. Mahmood has disclosed the establishment of a specialized ‘British FBI’ to address serious crimes, aiming to enhance the capacity of forces to tackle local offenses like anti-social behavior and theft. She emphasized that the existing policing model is inadequate, stating, “Communities are grappling with a surge in everyday crime that frequently goes unpunished, enabling criminals.” Ms. Mahmood expressed disappointment over the decline of neighborhood policing due to austerity measures, asserting, “Disregarding neighborhood policing was a misguided move as it has proven effective worldwide.”
She remarked, “Presently, we witness policing activities in unsuitable areas. Local forces are handling national policing duties, diverting their focus from community policing. Simultaneously, we have forces of varying sizes and capabilities, causing disparities in effectiveness across different regions. The government’s reforms aim to ensure that policing is appropriately allocated.”
She added, “In times of progress, skepticism is common. A century ago, fingerprinting was criticized for violating civil liberties. However, today, it is an indispensable tool in policing. I am confident that facial recognition technology will follow a similar trajectory in the future.”
Highlighted below are some of the key adjustments announced today.
Ms. Mahmood has introduced a new National Police Service, focusing on combating serious crimes, fraud, and terrorism.
She argues that officers in the 43 existing police forces in England and Wales are overwhelmed by the task of dismantling nationwide and global criminal networks. The Home Office disclosed that the new nationwide bureau will consolidate the capabilities of the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, Regional Organised Crime Units, police helicopters, and National Road Policing.
The bureau will facilitate technology and intelligence sharing, concentrating on complex criminal activities. A National Police Commissioner, the highest-ranking police official in the country, will lead the force.
Ms. Mahmood indicated the government’s intention to reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales.
The white paper stated, “The current structure, in place for six decades, is no longer effective. Maintaining 43 separate police headquarters, each supporting local policing with back-office functions, results in wasted resources that could be redirected to frontline operations.”
The strategy commits to a significant reduction in the number of police forces, without specifying a specific figure.
Regional Crime Hubs will be established nationwide to target drug trafficking networks, firearms distribution, child exploitation, and high-level fraud, regardless of their operational locations.
Government sources argue that police forces have long been burdened with national policing obligations, diverting attention and resources from addressing local crimes such as thefts, including shoplifting, phone theft, and anti-social behavior.
Ms. Mahmood emphasized, “Criminals disregard boundaries, necessitating a nimble policing approach to combat serious and intricate criminal networks.
“The Regional Crime Hubs will deploy top talent and cutting-edge technology to pursue transnational criminals and ensure community safety.”
Law enforcement will be mandated to respond to crime scenes within 15 minutes in urban areas and within 20 minutes in rural settings to reduce response delays for victims.
Ms. Mahmood criticized unacceptable delays that result in perpetrators and witnesses fleeing before officers arrive. The blueprint for policing also requires forces to answer emergency calls within 10 seconds.
Ms. Mahmood stated, “Everyday crimes are escalating nationwide, often with no repercussions. People report crimes and face prolonged waits for a response.
“By reinstating neighborhood policing and bolstering community patrols, we aim to apprehend criminals and reduce crime rates.”
The government will establish a new national AI center, allocating over £140 million to fund advanced technologies.
This initiative includes a nationwide deployment of facial recognition technology in vehicles and equipment to identify suspects from various sources like CCTV, doorbell cameras,