Labour eyes sweeping police reform, including a national mega-force and officer licences

Labour, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, outlines a plan to overhaul policing in England and Wales, proposing a sharp reduction in forces (from 43 to around a dozen), professional licences for officers, and ministers gaining power to sack chief constables. A centerpiece would be forming a national mega-force by merging the NCA, Counter Terrorism (and other national policing elements), aiming to better tackle organised crime and modern threats. The changes, argued to reflect a tougher crime landscape, would take years and provoke fierce political and institutional debate over local ties, accountability, and cost. Critics, including Conservatives and the Police Federation, warn about morale, practical impact, and the erosion of local policing links, while some senior officers see potential benefits if implemented with evidence and buy-in.