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The government has appointed former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe to chair an independent review into police force structures in England and Wales, as part of sweeping reforms set out in its Police Reform White Paper.
The review will examine how policing could be reorganised into a smaller number of larger, regional forces, making evidence-based recommendations on the optimal number of forces and the geographic areas they would cover. It will also consider how any new structures should be governed and held accountable to ensure they remain effective in delivering local policing and responding to community priorities.
Terms of reference are expected to be confirmed shortly, with recommendations due to be submitted to the Home Secretary by the summer.
Shift towards regional capability
Under the proposed model, larger regional forces would take responsibility for complex investigations such as homicide, serious drugs and county lines activity. The government argues that consolidating forces would improve resilience, enabling them to respond more effectively to surges in demand.
Specialist capabilities, including firearms, roads policing and cybercrime, could be brought together within bigger organisations to build expertise and ensure resources are deployed more efficiently.
At the same time, the reforms envisage the creation of Local Policing Areas within the larger forces. These units would focus exclusively on neighbourhood issues such as shop theft, phone theft, drug dealing and anti-social behaviour, with a mandate to deliver consistent, high-quality local policing nationwide.
Lord Hogan-Howe brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Chief Constable of Merseyside Police and Inspector of Constabulary. The government said his background places him at “a critical distance” from the current system while offering deep operational insight.
PCCs raise concerns over reorganisation
However, the plans have prompted caution from the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC).
Responding to the appointment, APCC Chair Emily Spurrell said Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) supported much of the government’s ambition to modernise policing, but questioned the case for structural consolidation.
“Police and Crime Commissioners back much of what is proposed under the government’s plans to modernise policing, but we have seen no evidence to suggest the public want fewer forces, or that reorganisation would deliver improved services,” she said.
“The public want a responsive police force that understands and acts on local priorities. Regional forces will remove the connection to those they serve and who increasingly fund policing through local taxation.”
Spurrell also suggested the review should be undertaken at a slower pace and separately from what she described as an already ambitious reform programme.
“As the voice of the public in policing, PCCs and Deputy Mayors will use the review and the passage of the reform Bill through Parliament to make the case for local communities,” she said.
“The objective must be to improve policing for communities across England and Wales and help restore the public’s trust in policing by effectively holding forces to account.”
The review is expected to play a central role in shaping the future structure of policing, with its conclusions likely to inform the final design of reforms as they progress through Parliament.
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