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A new centralized police organization is set to be established, taking over responsibilities such as counter-terrorism, fraud investigations, and tackling criminal gangs. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood described this initiative as the creation of a “British FBI,” emphasizing its role in utilizing top talent and advanced technology, including facial recognition systems, to apprehend dangerous offenders more effectively.
This ambitious National Police Service (NPS) will unify the efforts of existing entities such as the National Crime Agency and regional organized crime units into one body. It will also handle the procurement of new technological tools on behalf of all police forces. Mahmood criticized the current policing model as outdated, stating that it is “stuck in a different century,” and indicated that the NPS is part of broader reform plans due to be revealed soon.
Operating primarily in England and Wales, the NPS will have the authority to function across the entire UK, setting standards and overseeing training nationwide. The new force will be led by a national police commissioner, who will stand as the most senior police official in the country. The Home Office pointed out that local officers have been overburdened with serious crimes for which they often lack adequate training, impacting their ability to manage routine issues like shoplifting and anti-social behavior.
Other significant policing units, including the Metropolitan Police’s counter-terrorism division, the National Air Service managed by West Yorkshire Police, and National Roads Policing, will also be incorporated into the NPS. The government highlighted plans for a phased sharing of intelligence and resources across different forces to ensure consistent security provision throughout the country. Although the use of facial recognition technology has reportedly contributed to around 1,700 arrests over the past two years, some advocacy groups have expressed concerns regarding privacy and potential bias.
Support for this overhaul also comes from Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, who commented that the “overall policing system is out of date.” He added, “Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change,” stressing that these challenges require a national and international response despite their local impact.
Mahmood has labeled the current police structure as “irrational” and plans a major reduction in the number of police forces, trimming them from 43 down to 12 larger “mega” forces. Additionally, the government recently announced a new licensing scheme for police officers and has granted ministers increased authority to intervene in cases where police and fire chiefs are deemed underperforming. While these reforms aim for efficiency and modernization, they have received mixed responses from policing leaders. The Police Federation cautioned that reducing the number of forces does not automatically translate to better policing, and the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners warned about the high costs, time demands, and the risk of distancing police from their communities.
Finally, in a related development, ministers revealed plans to abolish police and crime commissioners by 2028, aiming to save at least £100 million and reallocate those funds to strengthen neighborhood policing efforts
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