Met Commissioner Calls for Policing Overhaul

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is set to call for a fundamental reshaping of policing across England and Wales. In a forthcoming speech, he will argue that the current structure, with 43 separate forces, is ill-equipped to handle the complexities of modern crime and risks a decline in public safety services.

Sir Mark's proposed reforms include consolidating the existing 43 police forces into approximately eight to ten regional bodies. These larger forces would be complemented by local policing commands and a new National Police Service. This structural change, he contends, would eliminate duplication and allow resources to be reinvested in frontline services.

System Out of Step with Crime

The Commissioner will warn that policing is currently too reliant on the dedication of its workforce to compensate for a system that is not aligned with the realities of the crimes being tackled. He will state that organised crime groups, fraud networks, online child abuse, cyber criminals, and hostile states operate across borders, while policing structures remain designed for a different era. "The moments that define policing are the moments when it has the courage to change," Sir Mark is expected to say.

Sir Mark will draw a parallel with the National Health Service, suggesting that public safety should be organised similarly, with specialist capabilities consolidated rather than replicated across numerous independent units. He will argue that the current model leads to overstretched forces attempting to manage too many responsibilities with insufficient resources.

Funding and Consequences

The speech will also address the issue of police funding. Sir Mark will point out that police funding has decreased from approximately 0.9% of GDP to around 0.7% across England and Wales since 2010. The consequences of this, he will state, include reduced officer visibility, stretched services, and lengthy waits for victims seeking justice. "The real danger is not change," he will add, "The real danger is standing still."