Police forces turning 50, a look back through history

Police forces including North Wales, North Yorkshire, Avon and Somerset and West Midlands are all celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. Here we look back at 1970s policing to see how much has changed.

1974

Due to the Police Act 1964, Britain merged from 200 local police forces to 47 forces in England and Wales. This aimed to streamline law enforcement efforts, enhance coordination between jurisdictions and improve resource allocation to better address emerging challenges.

Roy Jenkins, then Home Secretary, brought into force The Transfer of Police Officers Order 1974. This legislation was implemented on 1 April 1974 and led to the merger of all members and police cadets of the existing constabularies to become larger, more efficient police forces, each covering a county rather than maintaining individual constabularies.

In 1974, there was a range of reforms aimed at modernising policing practices and enhancing community engagement. These reforms expanded community policing initiatives like Neighbourhood Watch, fostering stronger relationships between police officers and the communities they served.

The reforms of 1974 also aimed to modernise policing practices and strengthen community ties. These emphasised accountability and transparency within police forces with bodies such as police complaints commissions being created to ensure that police actions were subject to scrutiny and held to high standards.

Police forces also created specialised units to tackle emerging challenges such as organised crime, drug trafficking and cyber crime. This included insulting enhanced forensic science and investigation capabilities to solve crimes more effectively.

The police made efforts to prevent crime through early intervention strategies. They collaborated with local authorities, schools and community groups to address root causes like poverty and substance abuse, aiming to divert at-risk individuals from criminal behaviour.

These reforms laid the groundwork for a more modern, accountable and community-oriented policing model in England and Wales. By promoting collaboration and proactive crime prevention, police forces were better equipped to meet evolving challenges while upholding principles of justice and public safety.

Modernisation

Following the reorganisation of police forces in 1974, there was a continued emphasis on modernising law enforcement practices and adapting to evolving societal needs.

This included implementing new technology, such as introducing computerised systems for record-keeping and crime analysis, which increased the effectiveness of law enforcement efforts.

One of the biggest changes that occurred in the early 1970s was the introduction of the The Police National Computer (PNC), a database used by law enforcement organisations across the United Kingdom and other non-law enforcement agencies.

The Computer PNC1 went live in 1974, providing UK police forces with online access to the lost/stolen vehicle database. The vehicle owners application quickly followed, giving the police online access to the names/addresses of every vehicle owner in the UK.

Looking back at 1974, it is incredible to see the advancements in policing. Police forces made strong efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity, which has only gained momentum in recent decades.

In December 1975, the Sex Discrimination Act was introduced, making it illegal to discriminate against women in recruitment. This lead to a rise of women in policing, with the latest data from 2022 showing there is now over 50,000 female police officers in the UK.

Leigh Hext became the first female dog handler in 1990 at Avon and Somerset Police. She shares her story and how she went on to win many awards alongside her police dog, Adam. Read the full article here.

Police recruitment campaigns attract candidates from diverse, ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented communities, such as offering apprenticeships and entry level schemes to graduates. These initiatives have been instrumental in building more inclusive and representative police forces.

We see the impact of these initiatives in action today as we recently reported on the story of 19-year old Sam Roe, who is the UK’s first police Digital Forensic apprentice for Nottinghamshire Police. His story shows how police are changing recruitment processes to make it more accessible for younger people. Read the full article here.

Police forces marking their 50 years

In celebration of 50 years, police forces have been reflecting on the history that has led to where they are now.

“This is a big year for us as we turn 50. But whilst much has changed since 1974, our core values remain the same – protecting people from harm, catching criminals and keeping our communities safe.”

Amanda Blakeman, Chief Constable for North Wales Police.

The chief constable also remarked on the inclusion of women in the police.

“Of course, equality for women has come on leaps and bounds – a female Chief Constable would have been unthinkable 50 years ago. Now women are able to carry out every role in the force without restriction – from Firearms Officers to dog handlers, from Crime Scene Investigators to Custody. The opportunities these days are endless.”

In our recent article, ‘Commemorating 50 years of West Midlands Police: the force of a thousand macs’, Corinne Brazier, Heritage Manager at West Midlands Police Museum looks back on the history of West Midlands Police and how its motto of ‘Forward in Unity’ which neatly highlights the ambition for officers across the force area to work together as one team. Read the full article here.

The changes implemented in 1974 laid the foundation for the future of modern policing in the UK, with many forces celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2024 as a testament to their continuing dedication and service to the community.

To read similar articles, check out our Leadership channel.