Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has suggested that the organisation of policing across England and Wales may undergo significant reform. Speaking at a conference attended by police leaders, Mahmood described the current police force structure as “irrational,” highlighting the inconsistencies in performance that contribute to what she called a “postcode lottery” in policing services.
At present, there are 43 separate police forces operating in England and Wales. Some senior police officials advocate for a reduction in this number to improve efficiency and effectiveness. Mahmood’s remarks came during an event hosted by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC), where she reiterated the need for change in the policing landscape. The government has indicated it will publish a White Paper next month, outlining future plans for policing in the region.
Mahmood was candid about her views on the role of Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs), which were created in 2012 by the outgoing Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government. The Home Office recently announced the abolition of the PCC role. Mahmood described the position as something that “had not worked,” pointing out that the public awareness of PCCs is limited, with “too many voters unaware of the existence of the position, or its occupant.” She emphasized her commitment to reform, saying, “I was a reformer at the Ministry of Justice. I will be a reformer at the Home Office too.”
The Home Secretary argued that some responsibilities currently managed locally—such as the national police air service and vetting—detract from the focus on neighbourhood policing. Supporting reform efforts, NPCC Chair Gavin Stephens advocated for fewer police forces to streamline funding and decision-making. However, some local PCCs remain opposed to merging forces. Meanwhile, police leaders express concern over financial pressures, with Paul Sanford, Chief Constable of Norfolk Constabulary, warning that “policing is in a state of financial distress,” and that financial resilience is declining across all forces. Policymakers and police officials now await the upcoming funding announcements due in early December
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.