Major Police Overhaul: New 'British FBI' to Combat Terrorism and Gang Crime
In a landmark announcement set for Monday, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will unveil extensive reforms to policing in England and Wales, headlined by the creation of a new national force dubbed the "British FBI." This initiative aims to centralise the fight against complex and serious crimes, allowing overburdened local constabularies to concentrate on community-level offences.
National Police Service to Lead on Serious Crime
The proposed National Police Service (NPS) will assume responsibility for counter-terrorism, fraud investigations, and organised criminal gang operations. By consolidating the functions of the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units into a single super force, the government intends to enhance efficiency and expertise in tackling modern threats.
Ms Mahmood emphasised the necessity of this shift, stating, "The current policing model was built for a different century." She highlighted that many local forces lack the specialised skills or resources required to combat sophisticated crimes such as online child abuse, large-scale fraud, and transnational criminal networks.
Structural Changes and New Leadership
As part of the reforms, the number of police forces in England and Wales is expected to be significantly reduced from the current 43. The NPS will be led by a National Police Commissioner, who will become the most senior police chief in the country. This commissioner will oversee the setting of national standards, training programmes, and the procurement of advanced technology, including facial recognition systems, on behalf of all forces.
The service will operate alongside existing bodies like Counter Terror Policing and the National Crime Agency during a transitional phase, eventually integrating their functions to create a unified national security apparatus.
Recruitment and Performance Targets
To attract top talent, the Home Office plans to introduce a direct entry scheme for senior roles, targeting professionals from the technology and finance sectors. Additionally, police forces will face new performance targets, with underperforming units publicly identified to drive accountability and improvement.
Support from Law Enforcement Leaders
The proposals have garnered backing from key figures in the policing community. Former head of Counter Terrorism Policing, Neil Basu, praised the plan, describing it as "far more capable as one national security system dealing more effectively with major crime, organised crime and terrorism in all its forms."
Graeme Biggar, Director General of the National Crime Agency, echoed this sentiment, noting, "The overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change." He advocated for a single, stronger national law enforcement body to address evolving threats coherently.
Local Policing and Community Focus
While centralising serious crime operations, the reforms aim to bolster local policing. By relieving constabularies of complex investigations, they will have more capacity to address everyday offences like shoplifting and phone theft. A joint statement from the Metropolitan Police, Counter Terror Policing, and the National Police Chiefs' Council cautioned that the transformation must maintain strong connections with local communities to succeed.
In a related move, the government has already announced plans to abolish police and crime commissioners by 2028, redirecting their responsibilities to mayors and council leaders and saving an estimated £100 million to support neighbourhood policing initiatives.
