Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Met chief calls for 43 forces in England and Wales to be replaced
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is calling for major police reform in England and Wales.
He wants to replace the current 43 forces with ten regional constabularies, supported by local policing commands.
His plan also includes a National Police Service for the most serious and complex crimes.
Rowley says fewer, larger forces could cut bureaucracy and free thousands of roles for frontline work.
He argues the current structure is ill-suited to crime that crosses regional and national borders, including cybercrime, fraud and online child abuse.
He warns that without change, communities could see fewer neighbourhood officers and rising crime.
The proposal is part of a wider reform effort, after Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a blueprint that includes a National Police Service and projected £350 million in savings for frontline policing.
Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is calling for England and Wales’s 43 police forces to be replaced by ten regional constabularies and a National Police Service.
He is due to make the proposal in a speech in Manchester on 6 November 2026.
Rowley argues that the current structure is overstretched and poorly suited to threats that cross regional and national borders.
He says a simpler structure could reduce bureaucracy and free resources for frontline policing.
Earlier in 2026, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a reform blueprint that included a National Police Service.
- Who
- Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley is calling for the changes, with backing from chief constables of other large forces.
- What
- He wants the 43 forces replaced by ten regional constabularies and a National Police Service.
- When
- 6 November 2026. Rowley is due to make the case in a speech that day.
- Where
- The proposed restructuring covers England and Wales. Rowley is due to give his speech in Manchester.
- Why
- Rowley says the current model is overstretched and does not cater to modern threats that cross borders. He argues that reform could cut bureaucracy and free resources for frontline services.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced a reform blueprint that included a National Police Service.
Rowley is due to make his case for reform in a speech in Manchester.
- Current force structure
- 43 forces across England and Wales
- Proposed regional structure
- 10 regional constabularies
- Proposed national body
- National Police Service
- Speech location
- Manchester
- Speech date
- 6 November 2026
What people are saying
The real danger is not change, the real danger is standing still.
I believe this is a choice between the third greatest revolution in British policing or the inevitable decline and fewer bobbies on the beat.
The moments that define policing are the moments when it has the courage to change.
But the model is creaking. We have 43 overstretched forces trying to do too much, with too little.