Shabana Mahmood is preparing to introduce a new law enforcement agency in the UK aimed at combating serious crime, fraud, and terrorism. The Home Secretary will reveal plans for a cutting-edge police force dedicated to apprehending the most dangerous criminals in the country. This initiative comes in response to the strain faced by the existing 43 police forces in England and Wales as they struggle to dismantle both domestic and international criminal networks.
The proposed National Police Service, as outlined by Ms. Mahmood, will allow chief constables to concentrate on local criminal activities like anti-social behavior, drug trafficking, and theft. Additionally, the reforms will introduce Regional Crime Hubs to target transnational criminals engaged in the most severe and intricate offenses.
Ms. Mahmood emphasized the necessity for a revamped policing model capable of addressing contemporary crimes such as online child exploitation, fraud, and organized criminal enterprises. The establishment of a new National Police Service, dubbed as the ‘British FBI,’ will leverage top-tier expertise and advanced technology to apprehend dangerous offenders, thereby enabling local law enforcement agencies to focus on community safety.
The Home Office envisions the new nationwide bureau amalgamating the capabilities of various law enforcement entities like the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, Regional Organized Crime Units, police aviation units, and National Road Policing. This integrated approach will facilitate the sharing of intelligence and technology to combat complex criminal activities, overseen by a National Police Commissioner – the highest-ranking police official in the country.
Former counter-terrorism policing chief Neil Basu praised the proposed national police service for its potential to enhance coordination among multiple agencies and enhance the country’s security apparatus against major crimes, organized crime, and terrorism. The initiative represents a significant step towards streamlining law enforcement efforts and ensuring a safer United Kingdom in the long term.
Ms. Mahmood will address lawmakers on the need to consolidate fragmented policing responsibilities, where different regions handle counter-terrorism, police air support, and road policing individually. The new organization will centralize these functions and oversee the optimal deployment of cutting-edge technologies like facial recognition systems.
The Home Secretary is scheduled to present her comprehensive strategy for combatting crime on Monday, marking the most substantial reform in the police service’s two-century history.