Plans for the most significant reorganisation of policing in England and Wales in decades are gaining momentum, with the country's most senior officers backing a controversial merger of forces. The proposal, now under consideration by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, would see the current 43 separate police forces consolidated into as few as 10 or 15 regional organisations.
Senior Chiefs Back Radical Overhaul
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and National Police Chiefs' Council Chair Gavin Stephens have jointly advocated for the sweeping change. They argue the existing structure is inefficient and hampers their ability to secure necessary resources. "The current setup quietly drains capacity from the front line and prevents the public from receiving the visible, effective service they rightly expect," they stated. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has signalled her openness to the idea, telling a conference last November that the present system is "irrational" and creates a "postcode lottery" in policing standards.
The Potential Benefits and Inherent Risks
Proponents believe larger, regional forces could deliver substantial benefits. The primary argument centres on economies of scale, with potential savings in procurement, HR, and finance. It could also allow for the creation of more powerful, specialised units to tackle complex crimes like cybercrime, fraud, and organised crime networks.
However, the plan is fraught with risk and potential downsides. Critics warn that larger forces may become less responsive to local community needs, leading to the closure of more police stations and control rooms. There are also significant concerns about democratic oversight and local accountability, with fears of increased political interference from Whitehall. The amalgamation process itself would incur massive upfront costs, particularly for integrating IT systems, and history shows few examples of police restructuring directly leading to lower crime rates.
Lessons from Scotland and the Political Challenge
A cautionary tale exists north of the border. Police Scotland was formed in 2013, merging eight regional forces into a single national body. A Scottish Parliament committee report in 2019 found the merger created unclear lines of responsibility, financial management suffered, and forecast savings failed to materialise fully.
For Shabana Mahmood, the political challenge is immense. She is attempting this complex reorganisation alongside other major reforms, including scrapping Police and Crime Commissioners and recruiting thousands of new officers, all within tight budgets. Even if executed flawlessly, the change is likely to be deeply unpopular with a public weary of constant upheaval in public services. Any future operational failures would inevitably be blamed on the disruptive merger process, making this a high-risk political endeavour.
