PCC Warns Police Shake-up Could Mean ‘Years of Chaos’
Matthew Barber says the reforms could cost millions and reduce visible frontline officers while shifting more power to the Home Office.
- Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Barber recently published a detailed response to the Government's Police Reform White Paper, warning that the proposed reorganization of England and Wales' 43-force structure threatens public safety.
- Barber cautioned that the reforms represent the "most significant overhaul of policing in generations," risking concentrated power in Whitehall and eroding operational independence that underpins public trust and local accountability.
- Structural changes could result in "years of chaos, costing millions of pounds without bringing real benefit," Barber warned, while criticizing the proposed Licence to Practise as "an unnecessary, bureaucratic burden."
- Almost any merger involving Thames Valley would likely result in higher Council Tax costs and a "lower level of service which is more removed from their community," Barber argued.
- Barber has launched a public consultation to gather resident views, noting the Government is not currently consulting the public, and emphasized that "there is still time to change course in the interests of keeping the public safe.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Bucks Herald
MK CitizenWarning Police reform risks undermining policing and public safety across Thames Valley
Proposals in a Police Reform White Paper risks weakening local policing, reducing resources, lessening accountability, and making communities less safe.
The Wokingham Paper
Reading Today OnlinePolice Reform plans “risk chaos” in local policing and public safety, says Police and Crime Commissioner
THE POLICE and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley has warned that recent policing reforms could risk “years of chaos” amid reorganisation. It comes after a government white paper published in January as part of an independent review of how police forces are structured in England and Wales. Proposals would see the creation of a new National Police Force, aimed at “setting standards” and providing a more uniform and consistent service for the pu…
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Police Reform plans risk undermining local policing and public safety Home June 10, 2026 Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Matthew Barber, has today published a detailed response to the Government’s Police Reform White Paper, warning that the proposals risk weakening local policing; reducing resources, lessening accountability, and ultimately making communities less safe. In a letter to the Home Secretary, the PCC sets out serio…
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