Shabana Mahmood has introduced a significant overhaul of policing, marking the most extensive change in law enforcement in 200 years.
The Home Secretary pledged to revamp outdated systems, cautioning that current structures are setting up chief constables for failure. She revealed plans to reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales and implement AI technologies like facial recognition across all regions.
Ms. Mahmood announced the establishment of an elite ‘British FBI’ to investigate serious crimes, aiming to empower forces to address local issues such as anti-social behavior and phone theft more effectively.
Addressing Members of Parliament, she emphasized the urgent need for change, stating that the existing policing model is inadequate. Ms. Mahmood expressed frustration over the decline of neighborhood policing due to past austerity measures, highlighting its effectiveness globally.
She stressed the importance of aligning policing efforts with appropriate areas and enhancing consistency across different forces. Ms. Mahmood underlined the necessity of adapting to new technologies like facial recognition for effective law enforcement.
Key changes unveiled include the creation of a National Police Service focusing on serious crimes, fraud, and terrorism. This centralized bureau aims to streamline efforts by amalgamating various law enforcement entities and enhancing collaboration on complex criminal activities.
The government plans to consolidate the current 43 police forces in England and Wales to optimize resources and improve frontline services. Regional Crime Hubs will be established nationwide to combat transnational criminal activities like drug networks, firearms supply, and high-harm fraud.
To address delays in police response times, officers will be required to reach crime scenes promptly, with set targets for urban and rural areas. The introduction of a new national center on AI, coupled with substantial investments in technology, will enhance surveillance capabilities and operational efficiency.
Furthermore, failing forces will receive specialized support, and the Home Secretary will be granted authority to dismiss chief constables. The new policing framework emphasizes accountability and transparency, with measures in place to monitor performance and enhance public trust.
A significant investment of £7 million has been allocated to tackle shoplifting, including the establishment of a national intelligence unit targeting organized retail crime. Efforts to combat digital crime will be bolstered by recruiting cyber security experts as special constables to address the evolving landscape of criminal activities.
In a bid to refocus police efforts, Ms. Mahmood announced the discontinuation of non-crime hate incidents, redirecting resources towards combating actual criminal offenses. This move aligns with her vision of ensuring law enforcement priorities remain centered on core policing duties.