Growing up in the eighties and early nineties in a Birmingham neighborhood meant facing the harsh reality of crime as a part of daily life. Living above our family shop exposed us to shoplifters and local troublemakers until my dad took a stand by placing a cricket bat behind the counter.
Experiencing firsthand the detrimental effects of crime on a community, I am committed to eradicating criminal activities like shop theft and antisocial behavior. As the Home Secretary, I firmly believe that no community should suffer from the burden of criminal acts.
Acknowledging that no crime should be dismissed as “low-level” or “petty,” I take pride in the diligent work of our police force. Over the past year, they have made three quarters of a million arrests, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Notably, we have successfully reduced knife crime by 5% and knife-related murders by nearly 20%.
Despite these achievements, the prevalence of everyday crime remains a pressing issue in our country. Instances of shoplifting have surged by 72% since 2010, while street crimes such as phone theft and pick-pocketing have risen by 58%.
As crime evolves and extends into the digital realm, with fraud and organized crime on the rise, our government is taking proactive steps to address these challenges. To combat neighborhood crime effectively, we are deploying an additional 13,000 neighborhood police officers, with plans to reach 3,000 officers by March.
Introducing the most significant policing reform in almost two centuries, I am initiating the establishment of a new National Police Service to combat sophisticated and dangerous criminals. This centralized service will oversee counterterrorism efforts, tackle serious organized crime, and address fraud, akin to the United States’ FBI model.
Recognizing the diversity in performance among the current 43 police forces, our strategy involves consolidating forces to ensure sufficient resources for high-quality policing services tailored to each region. Emphasizing localized policing, we aim to enhance the focus of police forces on their respective areas while addressing the epidemic of everyday crime.
Advancing into the digital age, we are equipping all police forces with cutting-edge technology like facial recognition to enhance crime detection capabilities. Significant investments are being made to modernize policing and ensure swift and efficient responses to criminal activities.
In a bid for greater accountability, the government will set performance targets for police forces, requiring them to report their progress not only to the authorities but also to the public. In cases of underperformance, specialized turnaround teams will be deployed, with the rare authority to dismiss Chief Constables if necessary.
While our country boasts exceptional police officers and leaders, the current policing system falls short in serving them and the public effectively. Through these ambitious reforms, we are committed to ushering in a new era of policing that safeguards communities locally and protects the nation as a whole.