London Mayor Sadiq Khan Raises Concerns Over Police Super-Force Plans

Plans to significantly reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales have drawn criticism from regional leaders, who argue the proposals threaten local accountability and neighbourhood policing. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has advocated for merging the current 43 forces into eight to 10 'super-forces'.

The suggested reforms have sparked concern among several mayors and police and crime commissioners. They argue that such a consolidation would undermine the devolution agenda and weaken the connection between police and their communities. Steve Rotheram, the mayor of the Liverpool city region, described the proposals as a centralisation effort that would damage local oversight. Bev Craig, the Greater Manchester mayor, stated that her region has demonstrated the effectiveness of locally accountable policing aligned with sensible geographic boundaries.

Concerns Over London's Policing Structure

Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, is understood to be concerned about the potential negative impact on accountability and neighbourhood policing. The current structure sees the Metropolitan police cover almost all of London, with the smaller City of London force operating within the Square Mile. Merging forces could lead to the absorption of the City of London police into a larger entity, a prospect that has raised questions about how local needs would be represented.

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, commissioned a review into reducing the number of police forces earlier this year. The review, led by former Met police commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe, is reportedly considering a range of options for the number of larger forces, from nine to 18. Some mayors believe police forces should align with existing mayoral boundaries to enhance their oversight capabilities.

Potential Financial Benefits and Counterarguments

Proponents of the reforms, including some senior police sources, argue that consolidation could lead to significant financial efficiencies. They suggest that merging forces could free up hundreds of millions of pounds annually, which could then be reinvested in frontline policing and technology upgrades. Stephen Watson, the Greater Manchester police chief constable, pointed to the administrative savings from reducing the number of headquarters, chief officers, and IT systems, arguing that the current 43-force model is financially unsustainable.

However, critics like David Skaith, the mayor of York and North Yorkshire, have voiced strong opposition. He described the proposals as a 'real threat' and questioned the Metropolitan police's track record. Kim McGuinness, the mayor of north-east England, emphasised the importance of a locally accountable police force as a cornerstone of the criminal justice system and cautioned against dismantling a model that has served British policing for generations.

Commissioner Rowley, in a speech in Manchester, defended his proposals, stating that radical change is necessary for police to effectively confront challenges like international criminal networks. He argued that reforms would strengthen, not weaken, local policing by providing officers with the backing of a larger service, and that both neighbourhood policing and specialist capabilities are essential.