Police Chiefs Propose Merging Forces Across England and Wales

At a recent reform roundtable, police chiefs expressed consensus on the need for consolidation. Gavin Stephens, chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, emphasized that the current system—with varying capacities and outdated infrastructure—has created a "postcode lottery" for crime victims.

He argued that fewer, larger forces supported by a national policing centre would ensure faster decision-making and smarter investment in technology. “We need to modernize our workforce to deal with national threats such as organized crime and violence against women and girls,” he said.

Mergers Already Under Discussion

While no formal plans have been submitted, potential mergers include Gloucestershire with Wiltshire, Norfolk with Suffolk, and a consolidation of the Yorkshire forces. Some rural MPs and smaller force chiefs have expressed concern that resources might shift away from less urban areas.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley supported a cut to just 12 regional forces, stating in the Sunday Times: “The 43-force model was designed in the 1960s and hasn’t been fit for purpose for at least two decades.”

Implementation Faces Delays

Due to the political sensitivity of policing in rural communities and funding limitations, any reforms are unlikely to be enacted within the current parliamentary term. Senior officials expect a phased implementation over the next decade. A change in government could influence whether the proposed reduction proceeds.

Scotland and Northern Ireland already operate single national forces, while England and Wales remain fragmented—a structure critics say hampers effectiveness and integration.