LAW ENFORCEMENT
Government set to shrink number of UK police forces
The Government is set to radically reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales as part of what is being heralded as the largest reform of policing in decades.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood pledges to "significantly" cut the number of forces from its current level of 43 and tell them to focus on serious and organised crime.
It could be years before changes are implemented, with Government sources saying only that it will happen by the end of the next parliament, around 2034.
Mahmood argues in a policy proposal that the current model of 43 forces is bureaucratic and wastes money, with each force running their own headquarters, management teams, and backroom staff.
Ministers also believe the performance of local forces varies too widely across England. They believe smaller forces are less well equipped to deal with serious crime and respond to major incidents.
Mahmood argues new, larger forces should focus on tackling serious and organised crime, as well as complex cases like murder and drugs.
Ministers have also announced plans for new local policing areas, with local officers focusing on neighbourhood policing.
It is proposed these will be set up in every borough, town, or city across England, and will be tasked with working with communities and fighting what the Government calls "local crime", such as shoplifting, phone theft, and drug dealing.
Government insiders acknowledge there is an "epidemic of everyday offences" going unpunished, and say they believe criminals think they can "cause havoc on our streets with impunity" because people are forced to wait hours or days for police to investigate crimes.
A government source said: "Where you live will no longer determine the outcomes you get from your force."
Ministers will not say exactly how many forces will exist under the new framework. Instead, an independent review will be announced to looking at precise details.
Similar cuts have previously been proposed. In 2005 Home Secretary Charles Clarke suggested cutting the number of forces to twelve. Scotland also merged its forces in 2013 to create Police Scotland.
