Home Office Unveils Plan for National Police Service to Tackle Organised Crime and Terrorism
In a major shake-up of policing in England and Wales, the Home Office is set to launch a new "British FBI" - a National Police Service (NPS) that will deal with serious crimes such as organised crime, terrorism, fraud, and online child abuse on a national level.
Under the plans, existing agencies such as the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units will be merged into the NPS, which will deploy "world-class talent" and state-of-the-art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals. The new organisation will also share intelligence and resources across borders.
The move is designed to help local police forces focus on less serious crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour by concentrating national expertise on complex cases. However, critics have raised concerns that the NPS may lead to a loss of local policing links and undermine community relationships.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, has welcomed the plans, saying they are long overdue in tackling modern crime. Neil Basu, former head of counter-terrorism policing, also supports the move, stating that it will make the UK more capable of dealing with major crime and terrorism threats.
However, Graham Wettone, a former frontline operational officer, has expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with operational officers who have been doing the job on the ground. He notes that fraud investigations are complex and require a national overview, but fears that the NPS may not be equipped to handle this task effectively.
The NPS will be created in stages, working alongside existing agencies, and will be run by a national police commissioner who will set standards and training for police forces. The new organisation will also acquire advanced technology such as facial recognition cameras.
While some have welcomed the plans, others have expressed concerns about the impact on local policing links and community relationships. Nevertheless, the NPS is seen as a major step forward in tackling modern crime and terrorism threats in England and Wales.
In a major shake-up of policing in England and Wales, the Home Office is set to launch a new "British FBI" - a National Police Service (NPS) that will deal with serious crimes such as organised crime, terrorism, fraud, and online child abuse on a national level.
Under the plans, existing agencies such as the National Crime Agency and regional organised crime units will be merged into the NPS, which will deploy "world-class talent" and state-of-the-art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals. The new organisation will also share intelligence and resources across borders.
The move is designed to help local police forces focus on less serious crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour by concentrating national expertise on complex cases. However, critics have raised concerns that the NPS may lead to a loss of local policing links and undermine community relationships.
Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, has welcomed the plans, saying they are long overdue in tackling modern crime. Neil Basu, former head of counter-terrorism policing, also supports the move, stating that it will make the UK more capable of dealing with major crime and terrorism threats.
However, Graham Wettone, a former frontline operational officer, has expressed concerns about the lack of consultation with operational officers who have been doing the job on the ground. He notes that fraud investigations are complex and require a national overview, but fears that the NPS may not be equipped to handle this task effectively.
The NPS will be created in stages, working alongside existing agencies, and will be run by a national police commissioner who will set standards and training for police forces. The new organisation will also acquire advanced technology such as facial recognition cameras.
While some have welcomed the plans, others have expressed concerns about the impact on local policing links and community relationships. Nevertheless, the NPS is seen as a major step forward in tackling modern crime and terrorism threats in England and Wales.