| Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 01:32, 24th January 2026 |     |
This is another subject which doesn't really sit easily within any of the definitions of intended content in our existing boards - but I'm not going to create yet another board, so I'll post this here:
From the BBC:
Number of police forces to be cut in major shake-up
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The government is to radically reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales as part of what sources have called the largest reform of policing in decades.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will announce plans for police reform next week. She will pledge to "significantly" cut the number of forces from its current level of 43, and tell them to focus on serious and organised crime. Police chiefs have been calling for the creation of 12 "mega forces" to save money and boost crime-fighting efforts.
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 will argue 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 is expected to say new, larger forces should focus on tackling serious and organised crime, as well as complex cases like murder and drugs. Ministers will also announce 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 in 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 every day 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 next week 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 been proposed as long as 20 years ago, when then Home Secretary Charles Clarke suggested cutting the number of forces to 12.
Scotland also merged its forces in 2013 to create Police Scotland.
The home secretary's allies will sell these reforms as part of her "modernising agenda". A source said: "For decades, people have called for forces to be merged. Mahmood is a politician who is not scared of bold reform and a political fight."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Keir Starmer's forced police reorganisation will undermine efforts to flight crime across England and Wales, inevitably leading to centralised control and reduced policing in towns and villages across the country."
Some police chiefs have called for a revamp of policing in England and have backed reducing the number of forces.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "Crime is changing, technology is evolving, and we need to be set up in the best possible way to tackle crime in the modern world, relentlessly focused on good quality neighbourhood policing alongside national threats. I know the home secretary shares this ambition. We look forward to seeing the government's white paper and working with them to ensure policing delivers outstanding results and rebuilds confidence with the communities we serve."
A spokesman for the Policing Federation, which represents officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector, said: "Fewer forces doesn't guarantee more or better policing for communities. Skills, capabilities and equipment need significant investment if the public and officers are going to see reform deliver in the real world. Any proposals must be driven by evidence and best practice, not lowest cost, and must strengthen rather than weaken frontline, investigative and specialist capability, neighbourhood policing and public confidence."
[Image from here is not available to guests]
The government is to radically reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales as part of what sources have called the largest reform of policing in decades.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will announce plans for police reform next week. She will pledge to "significantly" cut the number of forces from its current level of 43, and tell them to focus on serious and organised crime. Police chiefs have been calling for the creation of 12 "mega forces" to save money and boost crime-fighting efforts.
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 will argue 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 is expected to say new, larger forces should focus on tackling serious and organised crime, as well as complex cases like murder and drugs. Ministers will also announce 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 in 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 every day 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 next week 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 been proposed as long as 20 years ago, when then Home Secretary Charles Clarke suggested cutting the number of forces to 12.
Scotland also merged its forces in 2013 to create Police Scotland.
The home secretary's allies will sell these reforms as part of her "modernising agenda". A source said: "For decades, people have called for forces to be merged. Mahmood is a politician who is not scared of bold reform and a political fight."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said: "Keir Starmer's forced police reorganisation will undermine efforts to flight crime across England and Wales, inevitably leading to centralised control and reduced policing in towns and villages across the country."
Some police chiefs have called for a revamp of policing in England and have backed reducing the number of forces.
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs' Council, said: "Crime is changing, technology is evolving, and we need to be set up in the best possible way to tackle crime in the modern world, relentlessly focused on good quality neighbourhood policing alongside national threats. I know the home secretary shares this ambition. We look forward to seeing the government's white paper and working with them to ensure policing delivers outstanding results and rebuilds confidence with the communities we serve."
A spokesman for the Policing Federation, which represents officers from the rank of constable to chief inspector, said: "Fewer forces doesn't guarantee more or better policing for communities. Skills, capabilities and equipment need significant investment if the public and officers are going to see reform deliver in the real world. Any proposals must be driven by evidence and best practice, not lowest cost, and must strengthen rather than weaken frontline, investigative and specialist capability, neighbourhood policing and public confidence."
Declaration of interest
I was a police officer, in uniform, with Avon & Somerset Constabulary, 1980 to 1995. At that time, and now, I support the reduction of the present 43 police force areas to fewer, in the interests of improved efficiency.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by CyclingSid at 05:31, 24th January 2026 | |
What will happen with the small "specialist" forces such as BTP? Combined with MoD Police, Atomic Energy Police etc??
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Electric train at 07:22, 24th January 2026 | |
What will happen with the small "specialist" forces such as BTP? Combined with MoD Police, Atomic Energy Police etc??
Nothing, I suspect.
These a specialist Police Constabularies which are funded differently to the "civilian" Constabularies.
BTP is funded by the National rail system (NR, ToC FoC etc), TfL (London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, , Croydon Tramlink), Tyne and Wear Metro, Glasgow Subway, the Midland Metro tram system and IFS cloud cable car; there is funding from the Home Office via the DfT.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Bob_Blakey at 08:48, 24th January 2026 | |
Instead of a wholesale reorganisation how about we get our political 'leaders' (=Home Office, best of luck with that) to instruct the police forces to do their job properly?
The antics of the College of Policing regarding Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHI's) prove that at least part of the overall service has 'gone native' and needs to be reined in.
Any UK body which is funded from the public purse should understand that they are required to do as they are bloody well told and that authority can only come from our elected representatives.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by grahame at 09:35, 24th January 2026 | |
Police forces and areas date back, don't they, to a far less mobile age? Yet at the same time so much activity is seen to be very local. There is already, I have observed, a mechanism in place to loan police officers across force boundaries in the event of a signifiant need in another force area. I've heard enough to wonder and know the questions and comment that perhaps policing needs to catch up with a more joined up structure, but I don't know enough to suggest how that might best be done.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by ellendune at 09:37, 24th January 2026 | |
As one of the smallest (if not the smallest) forces in the UK I suspect that Wiltshire will be one of those forced to merge.
I am assuming since the fire service was merged with Dorset, that that will be the likely outcome. Given the proximity of Salisbury to the Dorset border I suppose this makes sense.
However, our health services cooperate to the west where there is also a large centre of population on the border so that would also make sense.
Remembering the proposals for a Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset combined authority I wonder if a much larger force covering Wilts Dorset and Avon and Somerset will be the outcome.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by TaplowGreen at 10:26, 24th January 2026 | |
As one of the smallest (if not the smallest) forces in the UK I suspect that Wiltshire will be one of those forced to merge.
I am assuming since the fire service was merged with Dorset, that that will be the likely outcome. Given the proximity of Salisbury to the Dorset border I suppose this makes sense.
However, our health services cooperate to the west where there is also a large centre of population on the border so that would also make sense.
Remembering the proposals for a Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset combined authority I wonder if a much larger force covering Wilts Dorset and Avon and Somerset will be the outcome.
I am assuming since the fire service was merged with Dorset, that that will be the likely outcome. Given the proximity of Salisbury to the Dorset border I suppose this makes sense.
However, our health services cooperate to the west where there is also a large centre of population on the border so that would also make sense.
Remembering the proposals for a Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset combined authority I wonder if a much larger force covering Wilts Dorset and Avon and Somerset will be the outcome.
City of London is the smallest - would imagine that may merge with the Met?
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by eightonedee at 11:59, 24th January 2026 | |
From the local press, it is clear that the Thames Valley and Hampshire forces now share a lot of resources, so a merger of these seems likely.
There is anecdotal evidence from the merger of ambulance services that while costs might be saved, the loss of more detailed local knowledge can cause problems, for example in getting help speedily to a specific address. The control structure and training of front line staff will be important.
As to Bob's point about "non-crime hate incidents", I suspect this might be driven by Home Office directed guidance and policy, backed up by unconscious bias training and similar innovations of recent decades. We have to remember that Police work goes well beyond detecting crime, to generally trying to ensure safety and public order, right down to such difficult jobs like dealing with informing relatives of accidental deaths and attending suicides and serious accidents.
I do though agree that the non-crime hate business went too far, particularly as it gives the impression that some hate is permitted, and other hate is not. We should just be grateful that we don't have trigger-happy armed state organisations roaming our streets - here's looking at you (again) Donald Trump.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Electric train at 12:12, 24th January 2026 | |
As one of the smallest (if not the smallest) forces in the UK I suspect that Wiltshire will be one of those forced to merge.
I am assuming since the fire service was merged with Dorset, that that will be the likely outcome. Given the proximity of Salisbury to the Dorset border I suppose this makes sense.
However, our health services cooperate to the west where there is also a large centre of population on the border so that would also make sense.
Remembering the proposals for a Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset combined authority I wonder if a much larger force covering Wilts Dorset and Avon and Somerset will be the outcome.
I am assuming since the fire service was merged with Dorset, that that will be the likely outcome. Given the proximity of Salisbury to the Dorset border I suppose this makes sense.
However, our health services cooperate to the west where there is also a large centre of population on the border so that would also make sense.
Remembering the proposals for a Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset combined authority I wonder if a much larger force covering Wilts Dorset and Avon and Somerset will be the outcome.
City of London is the smallest - would imagine that may merge with the Met?
Not sure about that, City of London Police is funded mostly by the Corporation of London ie the City.
I can see TVP being merged with Hampshire, possibly Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire as well; TVP is already the largest non-metropolitan Police force in England
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:04, 24th January 2026 | |
From the Office for National Statistics (and with my thanks to them for providing this online):
[Image from here is not available to guests]
My personal opinion is that there is a case for merging Devon & Cornwall, Avon & Somerset and Dorset into a new 'West of England' police force area. I would base it at Portishead, where there is an extensive modern, purpose-built, police headquarters - including a state-of-the-art firearms training facility in an old quarry. Easy access to the rest of the west of England, with the motorway just down the road.
Ignoring the indignant squeals from two of the current Chief Constables in those present force areas, what's not to like? [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 16:58, 24th January 2026 | |
I would also understand the case for Surrey, Sussex and Kent Constabularies to be merged. They all cover the south-east of England, with similar issues of immigrants (legal or illegal), drug smuggling, customs and many other interactions with Europe.
There you go: I've just saved the country another two Chief Constables' salaries and accumulating pension entitlements. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 17:39, 24th January 2026 | |
South Wales And Gwent?
No, maybe not that one. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 23:21, 24th January 2026 | |
Well, the press seem to have already done the job for her, so there's no need for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to make any effort on Monday. [Image from here is not available to guests]
From the BBC:
'British FBI' to take over terror and fraud probes in reforms to police
A new national police force is being created to take over counter-terror, fraud, and criminal gang investigations.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new National Police Service (NPS), described as a "British FBI", would deploy "world class talent and state of the art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals".
It will bring the work of existing agencies such as the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units under the same organisation, buying new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all forces.
Mahmood said policing was stuck "in a different century" and the new body will form part of a series of police reforms she will unveil on Monday.
The NPS will cover England and Wales but be able to operate in the wider UK, setting standards and training. It will be led by a national police commissioner who will become the most senior police chief in the country.
The Home Office said local police officers have been "burdened" with tackling major crimes without adequate training, leaving them unable to address everyday offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. In the past week, the home secretary has announced a number of sweeping changes to policing, having described the current structures as "irrational".
Counter terror policing, led by the Metropolitan Police, the National Air Service run by West Yorkshire Police, and National Roads Policing will also all be brought under the new organisation.
Intelligence and resources will be shared across different forces in stages to ensure the public receive the same level of security "no matter where they live", the Home Office said in a statement. While the government claims facial recognition has led to a rapid reduction in crime - reportedly leading to 1,700 arrests in the past two years - campaigners have raised concerns over issues with bias and privacy.
The Home Office says it will also look to hire new talent outside of the force for leadership roles.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, backed the new national force and said "the overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change". He added: "These are threats that affect us all locally, but need a national and international response."
Mahmood has previously said the current policing structure is "irrational", announcing on Thursday that she intends to drastically cut police forces down from 43 to make way for 12 "mega" forces. And on Friday, the government announced details of a licence scheme for police officers, and increased powers for ministers to intervene where police and fire chiefs are deemed to be failing.
The plans have drawn mixed reaction from senior figures in policing, with the Police Federation warning that "fewer forces doesn't guarantee more or better policing for communities".
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) also warned that the creation of regional forces would be expensive, time-consuming and risks separating police forces from their communities.
In November, ministers announced plans to scrap police and crime commissioners in 2028 to save at least £100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.
A new national police force is being created to take over counter-terror, fraud, and criminal gang investigations.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new National Police Service (NPS), described as a "British FBI", would deploy "world class talent and state of the art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals".
It will bring the work of existing agencies such as the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units under the same organisation, buying new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all forces.
Mahmood said policing was stuck "in a different century" and the new body will form part of a series of police reforms she will unveil on Monday.
The NPS will cover England and Wales but be able to operate in the wider UK, setting standards and training. It will be led by a national police commissioner who will become the most senior police chief in the country.
The Home Office said local police officers have been "burdened" with tackling major crimes without adequate training, leaving them unable to address everyday offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. In the past week, the home secretary has announced a number of sweeping changes to policing, having described the current structures as "irrational".
Counter terror policing, led by the Metropolitan Police, the National Air Service run by West Yorkshire Police, and National Roads Policing will also all be brought under the new organisation.
Intelligence and resources will be shared across different forces in stages to ensure the public receive the same level of security "no matter where they live", the Home Office said in a statement. While the government claims facial recognition has led to a rapid reduction in crime - reportedly leading to 1,700 arrests in the past two years - campaigners have raised concerns over issues with bias and privacy.
The Home Office says it will also look to hire new talent outside of the force for leadership roles.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, backed the new national force and said "the overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change". He added: "These are threats that affect us all locally, but need a national and international response."
Mahmood has previously said the current policing structure is "irrational", announcing on Thursday that she intends to drastically cut police forces down from 43 to make way for 12 "mega" forces. And on Friday, the government announced details of a licence scheme for police officers, and increased powers for ministers to intervene where police and fire chiefs are deemed to be failing.
The plans have drawn mixed reaction from senior figures in policing, with the Police Federation warning that "fewer forces doesn't guarantee more or better policing for communities".
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) also warned that the creation of regional forces would be expensive, time-consuming and risks separating police forces from their communities.
In November, ministers announced plans to scrap police and crime commissioners in 2028 to save at least £100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Electric train at 07:12, 25th January 2026 | |
I would also understand the case for Surrey, Sussex and Kent Constabularies to be merged. They all cover the south-east of England, with similar issues of immigrants (legal or illegal), drug smuggling, customs and many other interactions with Europe.
There you go: I've just saved the country another two Chief Constables' salaries and accumulating pension entitlements. [Image from here is not available to guests]
There you go: I've just saved the country another two Chief Constables' salaries and accumulating pension entitlements. [Image from here is not available to guests]
The restructuring as I understand it from the media reports is being driven by the current Chief Constables and their senior teams, the time scales of the restructuring mean that the current Chief Constables will have retired.
I do wonder if the reason for abolition of the Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) is they maybe seen as blockers to the restructuring
Well, the press seem to have already done the job for her, so there's no need for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to make any effort on Monday. [Image from here is not available to guests]
From the BBC:
From the BBC:
'British FBI' to take over terror and fraud probes in reforms to police
A new national police force is being created to take over counter-terror, fraud, and criminal gang investigations.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new National Police Service (NPS), described as a "British FBI", would deploy "world class talent and state of the art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals".
It will bring the work of existing agencies such as the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units under the same organisation, buying new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all forces.
Mahmood said policing was stuck "in a different century" and the new body will form part of a series of police reforms she will unveil on Monday.
The NPS will cover England and Wales but be able to operate in the wider UK, setting standards and training. It will be led by a national police commissioner who will become the most senior police chief in the country.
The Home Office said local police officers have been "burdened" with tackling major crimes without adequate training, leaving them unable to address everyday offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. In the past week, the home secretary has announced a number of sweeping changes to policing, having described the current structures as "irrational".
Counter terror policing, led by the Metropolitan Police, the National Air Service run by West Yorkshire Police, and National Roads Policing will also all be brought under the new organisation.
Intelligence and resources will be shared across different forces in stages to ensure the public receive the same level of security "no matter where they live", the Home Office said in a statement. While the government claims facial recognition has led to a rapid reduction in crime - reportedly leading to 1,700 arrests in the past two years - campaigners have raised concerns over issues with bias and privacy.
The Home Office says it will also look to hire new talent outside of the force for leadership roles.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, backed the new national force and said "the overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change". He added: "These are threats that affect us all locally, but need a national and international response."
Mahmood has previously said the current policing structure is "irrational", announcing on Thursday that she intends to drastically cut police forces down from 43 to make way for 12 "mega" forces. And on Friday, the government announced details of a licence scheme for police officers, and increased powers for ministers to intervene where police and fire chiefs are deemed to be failing.
The plans have drawn mixed reaction from senior figures in policing, with the Police Federation warning that "fewer forces doesn't guarantee more or better policing for communities".
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) also warned that the creation of regional forces would be expensive, time-consuming and risks separating police forces from their communities.
In November, ministers announced plans to scrap police and crime commissioners in 2028 to save at least £100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.
A new national police force is being created to take over counter-terror, fraud, and criminal gang investigations.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new National Police Service (NPS), described as a "British FBI", would deploy "world class talent and state of the art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals".
It will bring the work of existing agencies such as the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units under the same organisation, buying new technology such as facial recognition on behalf of all forces.
Mahmood said policing was stuck "in a different century" and the new body will form part of a series of police reforms she will unveil on Monday.
The NPS will cover England and Wales but be able to operate in the wider UK, setting standards and training. It will be led by a national police commissioner who will become the most senior police chief in the country.
The Home Office said local police officers have been "burdened" with tackling major crimes without adequate training, leaving them unable to address everyday offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour. In the past week, the home secretary has announced a number of sweeping changes to policing, having described the current structures as "irrational".
Counter terror policing, led by the Metropolitan Police, the National Air Service run by West Yorkshire Police, and National Roads Policing will also all be brought under the new organisation.
Intelligence and resources will be shared across different forces in stages to ensure the public receive the same level of security "no matter where they live", the Home Office said in a statement. While the government claims facial recognition has led to a rapid reduction in crime - reportedly leading to 1,700 arrests in the past two years - campaigners have raised concerns over issues with bias and privacy.
The Home Office says it will also look to hire new talent outside of the force for leadership roles.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, backed the new national force and said "the overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change". He added: "These are threats that affect us all locally, but need a national and international response."
Mahmood has previously said the current policing structure is "irrational", announcing on Thursday that she intends to drastically cut police forces down from 43 to make way for 12 "mega" forces. And on Friday, the government announced details of a licence scheme for police officers, and increased powers for ministers to intervene where police and fire chiefs are deemed to be failing.
The plans have drawn mixed reaction from senior figures in policing, with the Police Federation warning that "fewer forces doesn't guarantee more or better policing for communities".
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) also warned that the creation of regional forces would be expensive, time-consuming and risks separating police forces from their communities.
In November, ministers announced plans to scrap police and crime commissioners in 2028 to save at least £100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.
The formation of a National Force is again something senior Police Chiefs have been wanting for a long time, whilst petty crime like burglaries, shoplift, anti social-behaviour etc are an issue the senior Police Chiefs see organised crime, terrorism as far large problem that the current policing structure struggles to deal with effectively and efficiently with
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by ellendune at 14:22, 25th January 2026 | |
The proposals seem to mirror those proposed in 2005 which were described by the BBC here:
If so it would be between 12 and 18 police forces
East Midlands - Either one East Midlands force; or two forces - one covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and another for Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Electric train at 07:10, 26th January 2026 | |
The proposals seem to mirror those proposed in 2005 which were described by the BBC here:
If so it would be between 12 and 18 police forces
If so it would be between 12 and 18 police forces
East Midlands - Either one East Midlands force; or two forces - one covering Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, and another for Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
Eastern - Either one Eastern force; or two forces in one of two different combinations: Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Essex plus Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire
OR Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex plus Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire
London - No change proposed - reviews are continuing into the future of the City of London police and British Transport Police in the city
North East - Create one force for the region by merging Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland
North West - Either two forces - one for Lancashire, Cumbria and Merseyside and another for Cheshire and Greater Manchester Police
OR three forces - one for Lancashire and Cumbria, another for Cheshire and Merseyside, and a separate Greater Manchester force
South East - Any of the following options:
Two strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex plus Thames Valley and Hampshire
Three forces - one for Kent alone, another for Thames Valley and a third for Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
Three strategic forces - Kent, Surrey and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire as a standalone force
Three strategic forces - Kent and Sussex; Thames Valley as a standalone force; plus Hampshire and Surrey
Four strategic forces - Kent as a standalone strategic force; Thames Valley as a standalone strategic force; Surrey and Sussex; and Hampshire as a standalone strategic force
South West - Either one regional force
OR two forces comprising Devon and Cornwall as a standalone force, alongside one covering Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Dorset
Wales - A national Welsh force merging North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Gwent and South Wales
West Midlands - Either one West Midlands force
OR two forces - Staffordshire and West Mercia; plus Warwickshire and West Midlands
Yorkshire and Humberside - Either a single regional force
OR two strategic forces - one for West Yorkshire and North Yorkshire; another South Yorkshire and Humberside.
I could see an option of a Kent and Essex joining in a combined force, there is a lot of crime across the Thames with the bad guys making use of the Thames crossings and the current disconnection of the policing
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by broadgage at 09:09, 26th January 2026 | |
I can see the merits of a national force to deal with terrorism, and organised/large scale crime. One caveat is the risk of the local force declining to deal with say shoplifting, by stating "we believe that a large organised gang are responsible and are therefore leaving it the national police"
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by eightonedee at 17:48, 26th January 2026 | |
I could see an option of a Kent and Essex joining in a combined force, there is a lot of crime across the Thames with the bad guys making use of the Thames crossings and the current disconnection of the policing
Two objections to that ET!
1 - It seems that the Government's second main policy proposal, apart from amalgamation of the current county/regional forces, is that serious crime becomes the responsibility of a new FBI-style national serious crime body, who would presumably have this kind of organised criminality in their remit
2 - The communications between the two comprise just the Thames crossing - tunnel north-bound, Queen Elizabeth Bridge southbound, both notorious bottlenecks on the M25. Dealing with a major accident or incident (say) in Colchester from a special unit based in Maidstone, or vice versa doesn't bear thinking about, so you would probably have to duplicate facilities either side of the crossing, negating the savings from amalgamation. As pointed out in my previous post on this thread, police work is very much more than solving crimes, and dealing with major accidents is very much at the upper end of the rest of their work.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by JayMac at 18:50, 26th January 2026 | |
What is the smallest police force in the UK based on number of warranted constables?
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 19:07, 26th January 2026 | |
City of London, apparently. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by ChrisB at 20:29, 26th January 2026 | |
Scotland have been very successful with their new arrangement - so Police England. Why not?
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Witham Bobby at 13:23, 27th January 2026 | |
"In order to increase effectiveness, efficiency and accountability we are centralising the police and making the service even more remote from people and from democratic control"
The Peelian idea that the police are simply good citizens who take an oath and wear a uniform seems to be very much dead-and-buried, along with policing by consent
Big Government's distrust of it's citizens being able to arrange things for themselves locally in a way that suits them best continues
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by ChrisB at 17:01, 27th January 2026 | |
One (larger, admittedly - but still smaller than 43 of them!) back office allows further funding of actual officers on the ground.
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Electric train at 07:06, 28th January 2026 | |
One (larger, admittedly - but still smaller than 43 of them!) back office allows further funding of actual officers on the ground.
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
England, (and possibly the whole of the UK) is over due for a National Police Force. The current disjointed approach is out dated with different Forces taking the lead on key National tasks eg MET antiterrorism.
A National Force obviously needs needs accountability this would be the Crown ie Parliament, to fill the void locally maybe we should go back a few hundred to the ancient English roll of Sheriff and have local Sheriffs, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheriff#:~:text=A%20sheriff%20is%20a%20government,England%20where%20the%20office%20originated.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Witham Bobby at 14:59, 28th January 2026 | |
One (larger, admittedly - but still smaller than 43 of them!) back office allows further funding of actual officers on the ground.
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
Amongst local facilities/services lost to my home town of Evesham in the last 25 - 35 years that come immediately to mind:
Hospital services including Casualty and Maternity; Magistrates Court; County Court; Driving Test Centre; Ambulance Station; Police Station. All centralised "to reduce costs and improve service" The NHS even had the gall to sell off for housing a hospital that was not their property but held by a trust on behalf of Evesham people.
I am not alone amongst residents of what was once a lovely town that has lost so much who have seen neither a reduction in cost or a better provision of services
From my perspective, we've lost what's gone because the organisations concerned have looked too much into their own processes and empire building, and not enough at doing what they are handsomely funded to do
Before 1967, there was Worcestershire Constabulary. That was merged with Shropshire and Herefordshire to form West Mercia Constabulary. The new set up has seen nothing but reductions in police stations and police presence, year after year. Have a burglary, and the best you can expect is a crime number to go on an insurance claim form. The only place there isn't a shortage of police is at the doughnut counter of Lidl
Further merging police forces will save not a single penny, and will probably cost a fortune in reorganisation cost one-offs that will become permanent.
My father in law was a village bobby who retired after a lengthy career when he saw the deluge of paperwork that centralised "efficiency" seemed to produce and riot training became mandatory. "Not what I joined for" he would say
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by JayMac at 15:44, 28th January 2026 | |
Before 1967, there was Worcestershire Constabulary. That was merged with Shropshire and Herefordshire to form West Mercia Constabulary. The new set up has seen nothing but reductions in police stations and police presence, year after year. Have a burglary, and the best you can expect is a crime number to go on an insurance claim form.
Police are required to attend and investigate ALL domestic burglaries in England & Wales.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Witham Bobby at 15:55, 28th January 2026 | |
Police are required to attend and investigate ALL domestic burglaries in England & Wales.
I didn't know that. And neither did the local police, it would appear. A neighbour had £10,000 fishing gear lifted from his garden shed a few months back. Our shed was broken into at the same time, but nothing taken. Zero interest from the police for either of of the break-ins, apart from a crime number, and the arrival a couple of weeks later of a PCSO to drink tea and supply a crime prevention leaflet
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by eightonedee at 17:24, 28th January 2026 | |
As for local accountability - name me an effective PCC▸ that communicates properly with their electorate throughout their term and not just at election time (more money saved by their abolishment too).
To be fair, the PCCs for Hampshire and Thames Valley do seem regularly to feature on southern regional TV. I'm not certain how effective they are and expect they are like most other figurehead regional appointments, like Mayors, who are hamstrung by what Whitehall and the Treasury allow them to do, and probably take the chance of standing as a stepping stone for something parliamentary in their parties by making a lot of noise to get noticed (or, if ex-MPs, something higher up the food chain). I'll leave members to suggest examples. However, with the limited interest most of the public have in elections for such roles, I think they fail to fulfil their objective of public accountability.
Whatever the size of amalgamated forces, they will still need a command structure and organisation that ensures delivery on the ground. Larger forces will probably mean more divisional offices, and not a lot of manpower savings, but from what seems to be happening currently, it will formalise a lot of current cross-force resource sharing.
BTW, I read somewhere earlier today that Gloucestershire was talking to Thames Valley - just Googled and found this - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/27/britain-oldest-county-police-force-merger-gloucestershire/?msockid=2cb2a64906e467143577b04a075f66f2.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by ChrisB at 17:41, 28th January 2026 | |
They are *accountable* to us, so I would expect two-way communication, not simply them spouting at us.
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by stuving at 19:24, 28th January 2026 | |
Police are required to attend and investigate ALL domestic burglaries in England & Wales.
I didn't know that. And neither did the local police, it would appear. A neighbour had £10,000 fishing gear lifted from his garden shed a few months back. Our shed was broken into at the same time, but nothing taken. Zero interest from the police for either of of the break-ins, apart from a crime number, and the arrival a couple of weeks later of a PCSO to drink tea and supply a crime prevention leaflet
Well, it's a commitment by the police chiefs on behalf of their forces, so not really a requirement placed on them externally. They claim to be now attending in all cases, though what investigation follows is subject to available resources, so may be a bit cursory. And it doesn't extend to sheds at all (now reported as a separate category).
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 21:53, 28th January 2026 | |
... it doesn't extend to sheds at all (now reported as a separate category).
I did away with our shed in the back garden years ago - just to avoid any need for the local Bobby to call in to record details, if necessary.
Actually, on the only occasion we had to call upon our local police, at our previous address, I was happy with their service. I produced a mug of coffee, the police constable recorded basic details on his notebook, gave me a crime reference number, and we were all happy.
...
That incident, by the way, was triggered by my dear wife inadvertently leaving her bunch of keys - including the one for our car - in the outside lock on our front door overnight. In the morning, the keys - and our car - had disappeared. [Image from here is not available to guests]
| Re: Number of police forces in England and Wales to be cut in major shake-up Posted by ellendune at 23:27, 28th January 2026 | |
Before 1967, there was Worcestershire Constabulary. That was merged with Shropshire and Herefordshire to form West Mercia Constabulary. The new set up has seen nothing but reductions in police stations and police presence, year after year.
The reductions are a fact, but the same happened in Wiltshire where there has been no merger! So your statement does not show cause and effect.
