Police Reform
About the Government's Police Reform Proposals
In January 2026, the Government published its Police Reform White Paper, From Local to National: A New Model for Policing, setting out proposals to reform policing across England and Wales.
The White Paper includes a number of significant changes that could affect how policing is delivered, governed and funded in Wiltshire in the future, including proposals to merge police forces and abolish Police and Crime Commissioners from 2028, which was announced in November 2025.
The proposals currently under consideration include:
- Reducing the number of police forces across England and Wales, with larger regional forces replacing the current 43-force model.
- Creating a new National Police Service to lead on serious and organised crime, counter-terrorism and a range of national policing functions.
- Abolishing Police and Crime Commissioners from May 2028 and replacing them with new governance arrangements, including Police and Crime Boards in areas where responsibilities cannot be transferred to a regional mayor.
- Introducing greater national oversight of policing through national priorities, performance measures and a new National Performance Framework.
- Reviewing the police funding formula, which determines how government funding is allocated between police forces.
- Reforming arrangements for Chief Constable appointments, police standards and conduct matters.
- Creation of Local Policing Areas where ring-fenced teams of police officers and Police Community Support Officers are dedicated to visible neighbourhood policing and problem-solving.
While some aspects of the proposals are intended to improve national consistency, efficiency and capability, Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has raised concerns about the potential impact on local policing, local accountability and costs to the taxpayer.
The Commissioner supports reforms that strengthen policing through better technology, improved data sharing, national standards, leadership development and more efficient procurement. But he believes any changes must protect the strong connection between local communities and their police service.
Philip Wilkinson has warned that large-scale force mergers and the abolition of PCCs could reduce local accountability, centralise decision-making and create significant costs without clear evidence that they would improve the service residents receive.
Many details of the reforms remain unclear and the Government has yet to make final decisions following the Independent Review of Police Force Structures.
This page provides information about the proposals and an opportunity for residents to share their views. We will update it as further details emerge and as the Government's plans develop.
