Cut number of police forces in England to as few as nine, review recommends
Summary
A government-commissioned review recommends reducing England’s 39 police forces to between nine and 18 regional forces, with a separate force for Wales. The review is not yet public, and police leaders disagree over the scale and structure of the proposed changes, which the government plans to set out in a white paper next year.Key Facts
- Former Metropolitan Police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe completed the review in September and sent it to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
- The review considers nine regional forces as well as options for up to 18, with local policing units handling much neighbourhood policing.
- A proposed National Police Service would take responsibility for counter-terrorism policing and serious and organised crime.
- The government is expected to publish the review before Christmas and issue a white paper in the new year.
- The article says the government’s timetable may be affected by plans to reorganise local government and expand the role of mayors.
- Metropolitan Police commissioner Mark Rowley and other chiefs are pressing for fewer forces, while some police leaders oppose or question a reduction to nine.
- The proposed regional forces would handle major crimes, public order and shared administrative functions currently managed separately by individual forces.
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