Biggest reforms to policing since the 1960s ‘being threatened by lack of money’

The Suffolk Constabulary. The number of forces covering local areas could be reduced from 43 to as low as the ‘mid teens’ in planned reforms to policing.
Photograph: Stephen Barnes/Law and Order/Alamy

The home secretary’s ambitions for the biggest reforms to policing since the 1960s are being threatened by a lack of money, with plans being considered for the creation of Britain’s FBI and slashing the number of forces.

Shabana Mahmood believes a radical reshaping of policing in England and Wales is needed, with the number of forces covering local areas being reduced from 43 to as low as the “mid teens” over time.