London | January 25, 2026 The UK government has announced plans to establish a powerful new national law enforcement body, widely described by officials as a “British FBI,” marking one of the most significant policing reforms in decades.
The proposed agency would bring together national-level investigations currently handled by multiple organisations, including counter-terrorism units, serious organised crime teams, and complex financial crime investigators. Ministers say the move is designed to modernise policing, improve intelligence sharing, and strengthen the country’s response to increasingly sophisticated criminal threats.
Under the plan, the new body would operate alongside local police forces but take responsibility for crimes that cross regional or national boundaries. These include terrorism, cybercrime, human trafficking, large-scale fraud, and foreign state-linked threats.
Home Office officials said fragmented structures have made it harder for law enforcement to respond quickly to crimes that move across jurisdictions. By centralising expertise, intelligence, and technology, the government believes the UK can close gaps exploited by organised criminal networks.
The proposal has already sparked political debate. Supporters argue the new agency will increase efficiency and accountability, while critics warn it could erode local policing autonomy and raise concerns about oversight and civil liberties.
Senior government figures stressed that local police forces would retain control over community policing, neighbourhood crime, and everyday law enforcement. The new agency would instead act as a national investigative hub, similar in scope—but not identical in structure—to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Civil liberties groups have called for strong safeguards, warning that expanded surveillance powers must be matched with transparent accountability mechanisms. Legal experts say parliamentary scrutiny will be critical as legislation moves forward.
The announcement comes amid rising concern over cyber-enabled crime and hostile foreign activity targeting UK institutions. Officials say criminals increasingly operate across borders, making traditional policing models less effective.
Police leaders have offered cautious support, noting that specialist units already collaborate closely but often face resource and coordination challenges. A single national body, they say, could streamline operations and reduce duplication.
However, some senior officers privately worry that centralisation could distance decision-making from local realities. Police unions have also raised questions about staffing, funding, and how officers would transition into the new structure.
The government has pledged a phased rollout, with detailed consultation involving police forces, devolved administrations, and Parliament. Legislation is expected to be introduced later this year, with the new agency potentially operational within the next parliamentary term.
If approved, the reform would represent the most far-reaching change to UK policing since the creation of regional police forces in the 20th century, redefining how the country tackles its most serious crimes in an increasingly complex security environment.
