Main content

Too Many Chiefs?

Gerry Northam examines why England and Wales are opting for 41 police and crime commissioners heading separate forces, when Scotland is merging its constabularies into one force.

In April next year, the SNP government in Scotland will merge 8 existing constabularies to create a single national police force. This is intended to bring efficiency savings by cutting out duplication of functions and gaining the economies of scale. But the move is proving controversial amid fears that it will damage local accountability and lead to worsening services in some areas.
Next month in England and Wales elections will be held for 41 Police and Crime Commissioners to oversee a continuing patchwork of local forces. The Westminster government sees the Commissioners as signs of its commitment to 'localism'. But seven years ago, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of police said the fragmented network of local forces was 'not fit for purpose'. So, given the cuts the police are facing, is it time for a radical re-organisation south of the border? Gerry Northam investigates.
Producer: Nicola Dowling.

Available now

38 minutes

Last on

Sun 4 Nov 2012 17:00
91热爆 Radio 4

More episodes

Previous

Public, Private and Profitable

Next

Second-Class Patients?

See all episodes from File on 4

  • Ahead of elections for police commissioners, do we need so many separate police forces?

  • Police Restraint

    Angus Stickler investigates deaths in police custody.

  • Police Racism

    Why are the police still accused of unfairly treating black and Asian officers?

  • Funding the Frontline Police Force

    Allan Urry investigates the effects of the police force's current funding problems.

Broadcasts

  • Tue 30 Oct 2012 20:00
    91热爆 Radio 4
  • Sun 4 Nov 2012 17:00
    91热爆 Radio 4

Download this programme

Subscribe to this programme or download individual episodes.

Podcast

  • File on 4

    Award-winning current affairs documentary series