In a sharp response to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley’s proposal to merge England and Wales’ 43 police forces into eight or ten “super‑forces,” several mayors and police‑and‑crime commissioners have voiced strong opposition. They argue the plan would undermine local accountability and the devolution agenda that has been a priority for the government.
Rowley’s call, made on Friday, was supported by chief constables of other forces, including Greater Manchester Police. However, senior policing leaders are divided over how radical the reduction should be. The proposal, which would create large regional forces covering both major cities and vast rural areas, has been described by some as a “real threat” to local policing.
Steve Rotheram, mayor of the Liverpool city region and a close ally of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, criticised the plans as “the wolf of centralisation dressed up in sheep’s clothing.” He warned that swallowing local forces into a handful of enormous regional units would run counter to the devolution agenda and erode local oversight.
Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, announced in January a plan to radically reduce the number of police forces and commissioned an official review by former Met Police commissioner Bernard Hogan‑Howe. The review, still unpublished, is expected to recommend a range of models, from nine to 18 larger forces, down from the current 43.
Many mayors believe that policing should align with mayoral boundaries to allow greater oversight. They argue that super‑forces would span large cities alongside expansive rural areas, diluting the focus on neighbourhood policing and community engagement. Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, has expressed concern that the changes could damage accountability, particularly for the Met Police, which already covers almost all of London.
Opposition to the plan is not limited to local leaders. Police and crime commissioners across the country have raised alarms about the potential loss of local knowledge and the risk of centralised decision‑making that may not reflect the unique needs of individual communities. The debate highlights a broader tension between efficiency and localism in policing.
While the government has framed the proposal as a way to streamline resources and improve coordination, critics argue that it could erode the very principles of accountability and responsiveness that underpin effective policing. The outcome of the review will be closely watched by mayors, police leaders, and the public, as it could reshape the policing landscape for years to come.
Source: The Guardian World
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