Article by Cllr Dick Cole published in the Cornish Guardian (4th February 2026) and West Briton newspapers (5th February 2026)
On Monday 26th January, the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood launched Labour’s latest plan for policing, which was set out in a document titled “From Local to National.”
The UK Government is planning, in its own words, to “radically reform the structure of policing” by “significantly reducing the number of police forces,” and it is about to set up a “review of police force structures.” They have stated that this will examine their “optimal configuration … and the best approach to implementation” – government-speak for forced mergers of existing constabularies.
Their plans also include the creation of a National Police Service, while the fewer “Local Police Forces” of the future will be “more focused on serving their local communities.” They are stating that “responsive local policing” will be “guaranteed through Local Policing Areas.
I have little faith that a National Police Service, no doubt based in London, will be good for Cornwall. And I am getting increasingly “teasy” that the present Government, which is talking a lot about “devolution,” is actually looking to concentrate yet more powers to the centre.
Policing is devolved to Scotland and there is a powerful ongoing campaign in Wales for justice and policing to be devolved to the Welsh Parliament. Last week, one Welsh MP pointed out that the devolution of policing had been recommended by three independent commissions. She asked the Home Secretary whether now was the “right time” for this to happen. Ms Mahmood simply said: “No, I do not.”
“From Local to National” does mention Wales. It pledges to “work closely with Welsh local government and the Welsh Government, police forces and other partners to ensure these new arrangements provide strong and effective local governance for Wales, recognising the distinct nature of local and regional arrangements.” It will surprise no-one that the document does not mention Cornwall once.
Cornwall’s MPs have been pushing hard for more powers for Cornwall and Steve Reed (Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government) recently confirmed – to quote Perran Moon MP – that “Cornwall will receive a bespoke devolution deal that recognises our national minority status.”
We need to know, now, what Cornwall is likely to see in such a “bespoke” deal. It needs to be something really meaningful and I see no reason why policing should not be devolved to the west of the Tamar as part of any settlement for Cornwall.
Let’s have a Cornwall Constabulary, once again, for one and all.