Poorly performing police forces to be named and shamed under new plans

Under new government plans in England and Wales, police forces will face nationally set targets for crime fighting, including response times, victim satisfaction, and public trust. The Home Secretary will have increased powers to intervene in poorly performing forces, potentially sending in special teams or ousting chief constables. Performance data will be published, allowing comparison between areas. While the Home Office claims these are the biggest reforms in two centuries, some police chiefs express concern that national targets could create perverse incentives and prioritize hitting targets over quality of service. The reforms, which aim to increase central government accountability over policing, will also see the abolishment of Police and Crime Commissioners by 2028.

Explore how the topics in this article connect to other news stories