Cyber security specialists are set to be enlisted to assist in combating digital crime in their free time as part of an initiative to crack down on criminals operating in the digital realm. Policing Minister Sarah Jones has announced intentions to invite tech experts to join as special constables, as a vast majority of crimes now involve a digital aspect, such as social media or the use of electronic devices.
Special constables, who possess the same powers of arrest as regular officers, traditionally focus on local beat policing. However, the government is now seeking volunteers with expertise in cybersecurity to enhance the response to digital offenses. Ms. Jones emphasized the need for volunteers with digital skills to adapt to the increasingly digital nature of crime, both online and in communities.
In recent years, the number of special constables in England and Wales has plummeted to only 5,534 as of March 2025, a significant decrease of 73% from 20,343 in 2012. The Home Office has pledged to simplify the recruitment process to encourage more people to volunteer and to incentivize existing special constables to remain in their roles.
Additionally, a new task force comprising senior policing figures will be established to address the decline in volunteer numbers. These efforts are part of a comprehensive set of reforms unveiled today, described as the most significant overhaul of policing in decades. The Home Secretary is expected to reduce the number of police forces in England and Wales from 43 as part of a radical restructuring of the police service.
Furthermore, the Home Secretary, Ms. Mahmood, is concerned about the lack of accountability and plans to mandate police forces to publish online dashboards showcasing their performance on key metrics like response times, team sizes, and crime resolution rates. She will also gain the authority to deploy specialist teams to revive failing forces and dismiss chief constables, following a recent incident involving incorrect information provided by a police chief that led to his retirement.
The policing white paper, to be introduced today, is anticipated to include measures to enhance police vetting processes. Individuals with a history of violence against women and girls will be prohibited from joining, and stricter guidelines for suspending officers accused of crimes will be implemented. To increase police presence in communities, bureaucratic obstacles hindering officers from patrolling the streets will be eliminated, with a designated, reachable officer assigned to each council ward as part of an expanded neighborhood policing initiative.
