Shabana Mahmood is planning to introduce a new law enforcement agency dubbed the “British FBI” to combat serious crimes, fraud, and terrorism. The Home Secretary will unveil a cutting-edge police force aimed at apprehending the most dangerous criminals in the UK. She will emphasize that the current 43 police forces in England and Wales are overwhelmed dealing with national and international criminal networks.
Under the proposed National Police Service, Chief Constables will be empowered to address local crimes like anti-social behavior, drug trafficking, and theft. Additionally, the restructuring will include the establishment of Regional Crime Hubs to target criminals operating across borders and engaging in severe and intricate offenses.
Ms. Mahmood highlighted that the existing policing model is outdated for combating modern crimes such as cyber fraud, online child exploitation, and organized crime. The new law enforcement body, akin to the British FBI, will leverage top-notch expertise and advanced technology to apprehend dangerous criminals, allowing local forces to focus on community safety.
The Home Office revealed that the upcoming bureau will amalgamate the capabilities of various law enforcement entities, including the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, and Regional Organized Crime Units. It will prioritize sharing intelligence and technology to combat complex crimes, overseen by a National Police Commissioner, the top-ranking police official in the country.
Former head of counter-terrorism policing, Neil Basu, expressed support for the initiative, stating that a national police service will enhance coordination among agencies, systems, and decision-making processes to effectively combat major crimes, organized crime, and terrorism.
Ms. Mahmood is set to address Members of Parliament, highlighting the need to streamline policing operations currently divided among multiple agencies. The new organization will centralize responsibilities, including counter-terrorism, police helicopters, and National Roads Policing, while ensuring optimal technology utilization across all police forces.
The Home Secretary will present her comprehensive plan for crime prevention on Monday, marking the most significant reform in policing since its inception two centuries ago.