UK Home Secretary Announces Policing Reforms

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will announce sweeping reforms to policing in England and Wales on Monday, creating a new National Police Service to tackle serious crimes and drastically reducing the number of regional forces from 43 to as few as 10. The changes, outlined in a white paper titled "From Local to National: A New Model for Policing," aim to modernize a system officials describe as outdated and inefficient, allowing local officers to prioritize community-level offenses while centralizing responses to complex threats.

The centerpiece of the overhaul is the National Police Service, often referred to as the "British FBI." It will absorb responsibilities from existing agencies, including the National Crime Agency, Counter Terror Policing, regional organized crime units, the National Police Air Service, and National Roads Policing. Investigations into counterterrorism, fraud, criminal gangs, drug supply, serious fraud, child mistreatment, and even potential serial killings will fall under its purview. A new national public order commander will also be appointed to manage major incidents of disorder, a measure prompted by the 2024 riots amid rising community tensions.