Big changes could be on the way for police forces in Wales and England! Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is gearing up to announce a massive shake-up of policing, potentially merging the 43 current forces into just 12 “mega forces.” This bold plan aims to reduce costs and improve crime-fighting by eliminating duplicate administrative expenses.
In Wales, this could mean a significant transformation for the existing four forces: South Wales Police, Gwent Police, Dyfed-Powys Police, and North Wales Police. The vision is for towns, cities, and boroughs to become “local policing areas” with officers tackling local crimes like shoplifting.
The reform is inspired by past criticisms of inefficiency in smaller forces, illustrated by Wiltshire Police’s need for external help during the 2018 Salisbury poisonings. The proposed changes aim to ensure that police resources meet the demands of serious crime, regardless of location.
While some praise the potential for streamlined services, sceptics warn against top-down reorganisation, pointing to the Met’s struggles with crime-solving despite being the largest force in England. Change might not be immediate, with mergers likely taking until the mid-2030s. The actual number of remaining forces will be decided by an independent review.
Stay tuned for more updates on what could be a new era of policing in Wales! 🚔💼