UK FBI Planned As Labour Centralises Terror And Fraud Policing

‘British FBI’ Planned As Labour Centralises Terror And Fraud Policing

Labour is planning to create a powerful new national police force — dubbed a “British FBI” — in a sweeping overhaul that would centralise counter-terrorism, fraud and organised crime investigations under one command.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the new National Police Service (NPS) would bring together the National Crime Agency, regional organised crime units and specialist national policing functions, arguing that Britain’s policing model is “stuck in a different century”.

The NPS would operate across England and Wales, with reach across the wider UK, and be led by a national police commissioner — the most senior police chief in the country. It would set standards, oversee specialist training and procure advanced technology, including facial recognition, on behalf of all forces.

Mahmood said frontline officers have been left “burdened” with tackling complex threats like terrorism and cyber fraud without the skills or resources to do so — weakening the response to everyday crimes such as shoplifting and antisocial behaviour.

Under the plans, counter-terror policing currently led by the Metropolitan Police, the National Air Service, and National Roads Policing would all be folded into the new body. Intelligence and resources would be shared nationally in stages to ensure “the same level of security no matter where you live”, the Home Office said.

The reforms come amid wider structural upheaval. Mahmood has already signalled plans to slash England and Wales’ 43 police forces down to 12 “mega forces”, introduce a licensing system for officers, and expand ministerial powers to intervene in failing forces.

While ministers point to facial recognition technology leading to around 1,700 arrests in two years, civil liberties groups have raised concerns over bias, accuracy and privacy.

Senior police leaders are split. The Police Federation warned that fewer forces do not automatically mean better policing, while police commissioners cautioned the reforms could be costly and weaken local accountability.

Key Takeaways

• Labour plans a new National Police Service, branded a “British FBI”.

• Terror, fraud and organised crime policing would be centralised nationally.

• Critics warn of cost, privacy risks and loss of local control.