UK to create its own FBI in biggest police reform in nearly 200 years
These changes will be the largest since 1829 (Photo: Getty Images)
On Saturday, the UK government announced the creation of a new National Police Service, being called the British FBI, according to Reuters.
The new unit will combine the work of the National Crime Agency, which investigates drug smuggling and human trafficking, with other nationwide functions, including counter-terrorism and the National Roads Policing Service.
Once appointed, the National Commissioner for Crime Fighting will become the highest-ranking law enforcement official in the country. Currently, the head of London’s Metropolitan Police holds one of the top positions in UK law enforcement.
Reuters reports that the creation of the National Police Service (the “British FBI”) will be part of major police reforms that the UK government is set to unveil on Monday. These reforms will represent the largest changes to the law enforcement system since Robert Peel established the first professional police force in 1829.
“The current policing model was built for a different century. We will create a new National Police Service – dubbed 'the British FBI' - deploying world class talent and state of the art technology to track down and catch dangerous criminals,” said UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
She also compared the upcoming service to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Currently, there are 43 local police forces in England and Wales, some of which perform national-level functions - for example, the Metropolitan Police in London, responsible for counter-terrorism.
Mahmood added that the reorganization will allow law enforcement to focus on everyday crimes, such as shoplifting and antisocial behavior, as well as on apprehending criminals within their local areas.
The government is also expected to reduce the overall number of police officers in the UK as part of the reforms, aiming to save costs and lower crime rates.
Changes in UK law enforcement
In January 2024, the UK police established a new specialized unit to address threats from Russia, China, and Iran. At the time, officials in London noted that the list of countries could expand in the future.
We also reported that in autumn 2025, unidentified drones were observed over several European countries. Shortly afterward, UK Defense Secretary John Healy announced that British forces would be granted new powers to shoot down drones near military bases.
