Better together

A newcomer to the UK could be fogiven for being a bit confused about the way policing is organised in this country.

There are 43 police forces in England and Wales and a further eight in Scotland but there are also separate forces for the rail network (the British Transport Police), ports, nuclear facilities (the Civil Nuclear Constabulary) as well as the Ministry of Defence Police.

There is a UK Border Agency and the national Serious Organised Crime Agency but only regional counter-terrorism units – although the Met does take a national lead on the issue.

The Government attempted to simplify the picture in 2005 with force mergers but they were killed off a year later with concerns over costs and worries about a lack of local accountability. However, collaboration is alive and well with forces teaming up to buy equipment and share their resources.