Labour has announced sweeping changes to policing in England and Wales, granting the home secretary renewed authority to dismiss chief constables and set crime-fighting targets. The overhaul, detailed in a white paper, has prompted warnings of an unprecedented concentration of power at the centre.
The proposals include the creation of a new National Police Service (NPS), dubbed the British FBI, which would eventually absorb counter-terrorism responsibilities. However, officials suggest the NPS will not take on this role until the end of the current parliament in 2029 or later, and mergers of the 43 local forces are not expected to be completed until 2034, with only one or two pilots possibly by 2029.
Critics have voiced concern over the centralisation of authority. Peter Fahy, a former chief constable of Greater Manchester police, said the NPS carried dangers if overseen by unscrupulous politicians. Emily Spurrell, chair of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, whose roles are set to be abolished in 2028, described the structure as putting unprecedented power in the hands of just two people. The group Spotlight on Corruption warned of a clear route for political interference in national policing.
Defenders of the plan, including Gavin Stephens of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and Matt Jukes of the Met police, argued that operational independence remains intact. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the House of Commons that outdated structures and technology adoption were leaving policing behind, and that an elite national force would tackle nationwide crime while local policing addresses everyday offences.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp attacked Labour over a fall of 1,000 in officer numbers in the past year. Meanwhile, chief constables reportedly believe the focus on officer numbers has hindered recruitment of those with modern skills.
