The proposed National Police Service, encompassing counter-terrorism and regional crime units along with the duties of the National Crime Agency, will be unmanageable, writes <strong>Peter Sommer</strong>The National Police Service (NPS) is the fourth or fifth iteration of a “British FBI”, not the third (<a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/jan/26/what-is-shabana-mahmood-proposing-in-biggest-ever-policing-reforms”>What is Shabana Mahmood proposing in ‘biggest ever’ policing reforms? 26 January). Before the Serious And Organised Crime Agency and the National Crime Agency, we had a National Crime Squad, and before that a National Criminal Intelligence Service.The new NPS may have too wide a remit to be manageable. Many Met police commissioners end their time badly because of the extent of their responsibilities public order, counter-terrorism, mid-range organised crime, street crime, drunks, knives, road traffic, domestic disturbances, dealing with the mentally unwell, and the vetting and personnel problems of police and civilian staff. <a href=”https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/feb/04/who-would-want-to-lead-the-british-fbi”>Continue reading…
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