Met Police chief calls for overhaul of 43-force model

The current policing structure in England and Wales is failing to keep pace with sophisticated criminal activity and requires a substantial reform, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley. He described the existing model, comprising 43 separate police forces, as 'creaking' and unable to effectively counter the complexity of modern crime.

Proposal for Regional Forces

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Speaking in Manchester alongside other police leaders, Sir Mark Rowley outlined a vision for a new policing landscape. He called for the consolidation of existing forces into eight to ten larger regional police forces. These would be complemented by hundreds of local policing commands, ensuring neighbourhood presence, and a new National Police Service to handle national threats such as counter-terrorism and serious organised crime. Sir Mark argued that the current fragmented and bureaucratic system leads to duplication and diverts resources from frontline duties. He believes larger forces would free up officer time and resources for essential policing tasks.

Sir Mark stated, "Policing has tried to keep up, made do as best it can to patch over our broken model." He added, "But the model is creaking. We have 43 overstretched forces trying to do too much, with too little." He presented the reform as a choice between a significant revolution in British policing or an inevitable decline in officer numbers on the streets.

Funding and Officer Shortages

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The Metropolitan Police faces significant financial pressures, having reduced its officer headcount by 4,000. Sir Mark indicated that the force is several hundred million pounds short of the funding required to fulfil its duties adequately. He highlighted the additional burdens placed on the Met, such as managing major protests and large-scale events, which require resources beyond day-to-day policing. The Commissioner noted that decisions made by Chancellors over many years have contributed to these financial challenges, particularly concerning capital responsibilities.

While the Mayor of London acknowledged these funding issues, he also pointed to increased financial support from central government. Over the last three years, the Met Police has received an additional £373 million from central government, which represents a nine-fold increase in funding. However, this increase is seen as insufficient to fully address the losses incurred over the preceding 14 years, during which police stations were closed due to budget constraints.

Challenges of Modern Criminality

Sir Mark Rowley emphasised that the current policing model, largely unchanged for six decades, is ill-equipped to handle the evolving nature of crime. He cited challenges such as the rise in fraud, online child abuse, cybercrime, and the activities of hostile state actors as reasons why a more consolidated and modernised approach is necessary. The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has also expressed concerns that some forces are too small to manage complex investigations or major incidents effectively.