Yesterday, the UK government announced “the largest reforms to policing since […] it was founded 2 centuries ago”, significantly in response to the rapid growth of online and cyber-enabled crime.
“Crime itself is evolving. Criminals are operating with more sophistication than ever before, within this country, across our borders and in the online world,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement.
Officials say roughly 90% of crimes now have a digital element, with online fraud accounting for 44%.
The existing model is shared across 43 local police forces and is seen as poorly suited to tackle digital crimes that are often international. Under the plans outlined, the UK would create a new National Police Service (NPS), to handle serious and complex crimes, including cybercrime and large-scale online fraud intended to centralize capabilities and improve coordination, intelligence sharing, and investigative capacity for tech-driven crime.
The government plans to expand specialist digital skills within policing and establish clearer oversight for the use of AI and data-driven tools.
The reforms also emphasize technology and digital forensics, with investments in AI tools and centralized forensic services to address large backlogs of seized devices awaiting analysis.
Michael Bell, Founder & CEO, Suzu Labs had this comment:
“The 43-force model made sense when crime was local. It makes less sense when ransomware operators in Russia are hitting hospitals in Leeds while coordinating on Telegram. Centralizing cyber capabilities is the right structural response but the real constraint going forward is talent, not org charts.
“That 20,000 device backlog won’t shrink through reorganization alone. The £115 million AI investment signals they’re planning to automate through the forensics debt rather than compete with the private sector for analysts.”
Denis Calderone CRO & COO, Suzu Labs adds this:
“Well it’s bout time, honestly. You can’t fight international cybercrime with 43 fragmented local police forces. Criminals operate globally while police operate by postcode. When 90% of crimes have a digital element and 44% is online fraud, a National Police Service focused on complex digital crime makes sense. Cybercrime doesn’t respect constabulary borders.
“That said, the 20,000 devices sitting in forensic analysis backlogs should terrify anyone. That’s not just a processing queue, that’s criminal cases going cold and victims waiting years for justice. Centralizing digital forensics could finally address this, but only if they actually fund it properly. Otherwise we’re just creating a bigger, more centralized backlog instead of 43 smaller ones.
“Here’s where I get skeptical though. They want cybersecurity experts to join as Special Constables, but special constable numbers are down 73% since 2012. Why would a cybersecurity professional making six figures work part-time as a volunteer police officer?
“The private sector pays better, offers remote work, and doesn’t require wearing a uniform. This recruitment strategy seems disconnected from the reality of the cybersecurity talent market. If they’re serious about bringing digital expertise into policing, they need to compete with private sector compensation, not rely on volunteerism.”
John Carberry, Solution Sleuth, Xcape, Inc. follows with this:
“The UK government’s launch of the National Police Service (NPS) signifies a much-needed shift from a fragmented, Victorian-era system to a centralized, “cyber-first” defense strategy. Virtually all crimes now involve technology and online fraud is rampant, so isolated local policing struggles to combat borderless, tech-savvy criminals.
“Establishing a National Police Service to consolidate cybercrime and major digital investigations promises enhanced coordination and intelligence sharing. This reform represents a significant technological leap, infusing £140 million in AI-powered forensics and suspect identification.
“By aggregating analysis to a central location, this new system aims to overcome the current backlog of 20,000 evidentiary devices that delay digital investigations. Moreover, the mandatory “license to practice” requires all officers to possess a fundamental level of digital proficiency, indicating that technological skill is now a universal law enforcement requirement.
“With 90% of all crimes leaving a digital trace, this restructuring enables the UK to combat crime at Internet speeds, rather than at the pace of local bureaucracy. Sustained investment, transparent governance, and the capacity to attract and retain cyber expertise are all necessary for this makeover to be successful.”
“When nine out of ten crimes are digitally enabled, a policing model that stops at a county border isn’t just outdated, it’s a gift to the modern criminal.”
This is a really good move to make sure that crime doesn’t pay. Because the opposite is happening and that’s not good.
UK proposes policing reforms to combat cybercrime
Posted in Commentary with tags UK on January 27, 2026 by itnerdYesterday, the UK government announced “the largest reforms to policing since […] it was founded 2 centuries ago”, significantly in response to the rapid growth of online and cyber-enabled crime.
“Crime itself is evolving. Criminals are operating with more sophistication than ever before, within this country, across our borders and in the online world,” Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said in a statement.
Officials say roughly 90% of crimes now have a digital element, with online fraud accounting for 44%.
The existing model is shared across 43 local police forces and is seen as poorly suited to tackle digital crimes that are often international. Under the plans outlined, the UK would create a new National Police Service (NPS), to handle serious and complex crimes, including cybercrime and large-scale online fraud intended to centralize capabilities and improve coordination, intelligence sharing, and investigative capacity for tech-driven crime.
The government plans to expand specialist digital skills within policing and establish clearer oversight for the use of AI and data-driven tools.
The reforms also emphasize technology and digital forensics, with investments in AI tools and centralized forensic services to address large backlogs of seized devices awaiting analysis.
Michael Bell, Founder & CEO, Suzu Labs had this comment:
“The 43-force model made sense when crime was local. It makes less sense when ransomware operators in Russia are hitting hospitals in Leeds while coordinating on Telegram. Centralizing cyber capabilities is the right structural response but the real constraint going forward is talent, not org charts.
“That 20,000 device backlog won’t shrink through reorganization alone. The £115 million AI investment signals they’re planning to automate through the forensics debt rather than compete with the private sector for analysts.”
Denis Calderone CRO & COO, Suzu Labs adds this:
“Well it’s bout time, honestly. You can’t fight international cybercrime with 43 fragmented local police forces. Criminals operate globally while police operate by postcode. When 90% of crimes have a digital element and 44% is online fraud, a National Police Service focused on complex digital crime makes sense. Cybercrime doesn’t respect constabulary borders.
“That said, the 20,000 devices sitting in forensic analysis backlogs should terrify anyone. That’s not just a processing queue, that’s criminal cases going cold and victims waiting years for justice. Centralizing digital forensics could finally address this, but only if they actually fund it properly. Otherwise we’re just creating a bigger, more centralized backlog instead of 43 smaller ones.
“Here’s where I get skeptical though. They want cybersecurity experts to join as Special Constables, but special constable numbers are down 73% since 2012. Why would a cybersecurity professional making six figures work part-time as a volunteer police officer?
“The private sector pays better, offers remote work, and doesn’t require wearing a uniform. This recruitment strategy seems disconnected from the reality of the cybersecurity talent market. If they’re serious about bringing digital expertise into policing, they need to compete with private sector compensation, not rely on volunteerism.”
John Carberry, Solution Sleuth, Xcape, Inc. follows with this:
“The UK government’s launch of the National Police Service (NPS) signifies a much-needed shift from a fragmented, Victorian-era system to a centralized, “cyber-first” defense strategy. Virtually all crimes now involve technology and online fraud is rampant, so isolated local policing struggles to combat borderless, tech-savvy criminals.
“Establishing a National Police Service to consolidate cybercrime and major digital investigations promises enhanced coordination and intelligence sharing. This reform represents a significant technological leap, infusing £140 million in AI-powered forensics and suspect identification.
“By aggregating analysis to a central location, this new system aims to overcome the current backlog of 20,000 evidentiary devices that delay digital investigations. Moreover, the mandatory “license to practice” requires all officers to possess a fundamental level of digital proficiency, indicating that technological skill is now a universal law enforcement requirement.
“With 90% of all crimes leaving a digital trace, this restructuring enables the UK to combat crime at Internet speeds, rather than at the pace of local bureaucracy. Sustained investment, transparent governance, and the capacity to attract and retain cyber expertise are all necessary for this makeover to be successful.”
“When nine out of ten crimes are digitally enabled, a policing model that stops at a county border isn’t just outdated, it’s a gift to the modern criminal.”
This is a really good move to make sure that crime doesn’t pay. Because the opposite is happening and that’s not good.
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