Police Merger Proposed to Combat Rising Crime
Met Commissioner Mark Rowley advocates for eight to 10 regional forces, citing an 'unfit for purpose' 60-year-old policing model.
Callum Smith
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley has proposed merging England and Wales' 43 police forces into eight to 10 regional units.
The proposed overhaul seeks to eliminate administrative duplication, reinvesting those resources directly into frontline policing. Sir Mark Rowley argues that current police structures are outdated, struggling to tackle modern cross-border threats effectively.
Organised crime groups, fraud networks, cyber-criminals, and those involved in online child abuse operate across regional and international borders. Police forces, however, remain organised locally, Sir Mark highlights, claiming the fragmented, top-heavy system wastes vital resources.
The proposal aims to free up resources for local policing and specialist units, enabling them to tackle organised crime more effectively. Sir Mark suggested these changes would bolster the number of officers on the beat, not lead to cuts in local policing.
However, questions persist regarding how potential mergers would affect the police precept, a component of council tax bills, given that residents in some areas pay more than others. Sir Mark stated the Met Police has shrunk by 4,000 officers due to financial pressure, facing significant underfunding for capital responsibilities.
The Government launched a review in January this year to consider reducing the number of police forces. Former Scotland Yard chief Lord Bernard Hogan-Howe leads this initiative. Sir Mark will suggest creating a new National Police Service, drawing a comparison to the NHS and proposing public safety should organise similarly with specialised capabilities.
Spending on policing has fallen from about 0.9% of GDP to 0.7% since 2010. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan stated that while the new Labour administration has increased central government funding to the Met Police, it is not enough to replenish losses from the previous 14 years.
Sir Mark Rowley stated the current police structure lacks necessary strength because crime grows more complicated, demanding more specialist skills. He argued the police service must adapt, or criminals will win.
I believe this is a choice between the third greatest revolution in British policing or the inevitable decline and fewer bobbies on the beat.
Sir Mark Rowley warned, "I believe this is a choice between the third greatest revolution in British policing or the inevitable decline and fewer bobbies on the beat." He will also warn that Britain risks fewer police officers and soaring crime rates unless policing undergoes significant reform.