Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce significant reforms to policing in England and Wales on Monday, introducing new response time targets designed to improve efficiency and increase criminal apprehensions.
Stricter Response Time Standards
Under the forthcoming proposals, police forces will be expected to answer emergency 999 calls within just 10 seconds. Additionally, officers will need to reach the scene of the most serious incidents within 15 minutes in urban areas and 20 minutes in rural locations.
These serious incidents are defined as situations involving immediate danger to life, serious personal injury, substantial property damage, or the use or imminent threat of violence. The category also includes crimes currently in progress or where an offender has been recently located at a scene.
Addressing Public Concerns
Ms Mahmood emphasized the necessity of these reforms, stating: "Everyday crimes are increasing nationwide, and too often there appear to be no consequences for offenders. People report crimes and then wait hours or even days for a response. By the time police arrive, perpetrators and witnesses have frequently disappeared."
The home secretary will establish new national targets to ensure consistent policing standards across the country, addressing current variations in response effectiveness.
Structural Overhaul and National Police Service
The full reforms will be detailed in a white paper published on Monday. This follows Ms Mahmood's earlier announcement regarding the creation of a new National Police Service (NPS), informally referred to as "Britain's FBI."
This centralized force will assume responsibility for counter-terrorism operations, fraud investigations, and organized crime cases. Currently, these functions are distributed among various regional forces: the Metropolitan Police handles counter-terror policing, West Yorkshire Police manages the National Air Service, and Sussex Police oversees National Roads Policing.
The NPS will also incorporate the work of the National Crime Agency (NCA). Ms Mahmood believes this consolidation will free up local police forces to concentrate on tackling everyday crimes within their communities.
Additional Reforms and Licensing Requirements
The government is expected to substantially reduce the number of police forces from the current total of 43. Furthermore, police officers in England and Wales will be required to hold a professional licence to continue working under the new system.
Officers must renew their "licence to practice" throughout their careers by completing ongoing training in specific areas, such as addressing violence against women and girls.
Support from Community Organizations
John Hayward-Cripps, chief executive of Neighbourhood Watch, responded positively to the Home Office's proposed targets: "Data reveals significant variation in how different forces respond to incidents. Police effectiveness and public trust are built on the relationships officers establish and maintain with communities. Therefore, the government's introduction of national standards, along with the necessary resources to achieve them, represents a welcome advancement."
These comprehensive reforms aim to create a more responsive, standardized, and effective policing framework across England and Wales, with the ultimate goal of improving public safety and increasing criminal accountability.
