In a landmark speech to police chiefs, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has declared her intention to be a 'reformer' and strongly hinted at a significant restructuring of the police service in England and Wales.
Addressing the National Police Chiefs' Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners Annual Summit in Westminster, she labelled the current framework of 43 separate forces as 'irrational', stating it creates a damaging 'postcode lottery' for the public.
Critique of the Current Police System
Mahmood argued that the existing structure is ill-suited to modern policing challenges. She highlighted how critical national functions, such as the police air service and vetting, have been burdened onto local forces, which she believes draws essential resources and attention away from core neighbourhood policing.
Furthermore, she pointed out the systemic inefficiency of having 43 distinct forces attempting to tackle criminal gangs that routinely operate across regional borders. This fragmented approach, she contended, has led to widening disparities in performance between different police services across the country.
The Home Secretary also criticised the slow adoption of new technology, noting that many forces remain dependent on outdated systems that have been in use for decades, with progress being 'piecemeal' at best.
The Path to Police Reform
The government's plan for change will be formally set out in a white paper due to be published in the coming weeks. This document is expected to detail wide-ranging reforms against a backdrop of a severe £1.2 billion budget shortfall facing police forces.
While promising that 'the detail will follow', Mahmood gave a clear sense of direction, referencing her track record. 'I was a reformer at the Ministry of Justice. I will be a reformer at the Home Office too,' she told the conference of police leaders.
A key element of the upcoming plans will be the creation of a new National Centre for Policing, a policy first announced the previous year. Mahmood assured chiefs that her drive for reform would be guided by performance and accountability, while respecting operational independence.
Clarifying the Law on Policing Social Media
Beyond structural reform, the Home Secretary waded into the ongoing debate on free speech and police powers. She stated unequivocally that police 'should not be policing perfectly legal language in any individual’s tweets'.
Her comments follow several high-profile cases, including the arrest of Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan for his social media posts. Mahmood acknowledged there have been 'egregious examples of disproportionate arrests' and suggested that some recent incidents raise questions about police decision-making.
To address these concerns, she confirmed that Lord MacDonald, the former director of public prosecutions, will lead a review into the use of police powers concerning protests and social media. The government is prepared to legislate to clarify the boundaries of the law if necessary.
