UK to establish ‘FBI-style’ national force as Home Office says local police forces are ‘unequipped’ to fight terrorism

The UK is to establish a new nationwide police force to fight the most complex and serious crimes.

In a LinkedIn post this morning, the UK Home Office said that local police forces are “unequipped” to fight crimes such as terrorism, fraud and organized crime.

“The new National Police Service will attract world-class talent and use state of the art technology to fight complex and serious crimes, lifting the burden on overstretched local forces and allowing them to focus on catching local criminals,” the statement read. “The service will bring the capabilities of the National Crime Agency, Counter Terrorism Policing, Regional Organised Crime Units, police helicopters and National Road Policing under a single organization.”

National resources are currently scattered around the country. The London-based Metropolitan Police is responsible for counter-terrorism policing, with other local units responsible for helicopters and roads policing, for example.

The new combined force will purchase new technology and equipment on behalf of all forces. This will include technology such as facial recognition. The new National Police Service will also take over the role of setting professional standards and training requirements for policing. A National Police Commissioner will be appointed to head the force, serving as the most senior police officer in the country.

Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, said the new force would be “the British FBI” and enable local forces to spend more time fighting crime in their communities. She is expected to disclose further details later today (January 26), as part of a major reform of policing. 

The National Police Chiefs Council, Counter Terrorism Policing and the Metropolitan Police have issued a joint statement in response to the government’s announcement.

“Our organisations operate in an environment where crime is becoming increasingly complex, digitally enabled and dangerous. Terrorism, hostile state activity and organized criminal networks are now more interconnected than ever, demanding a policing model that is agile, capable and resilient.

“Modern crime requires a modern policing response. We support and have been calling for this ambitious step to bring together some of the most capable policing teams in the country into a single National Police Service. This builds on the high international regard that already exists amongst partners for Counter Terrorism Policing, whose capabilities and professionalism are recognised globally.”

The statement cautions however, that a successful transformation depends on maintaining strong connections with local police forces and communities.

“Neighborhood officers remain indispensable in disrupting organized crime and countering terrorism. Their relationships, insights and presence on the ground are foundational to public safety. As we implement this reform program, protecting those vital local links will be essential to ensuring the new National Police Service strengthens – not separates – the bond between policing and the public.”