Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Deferred
Inconsistencies and problems persist in the provision and handling of police mutual aid.
Conclusion
While we heard of several instances of mutual aid being quickly and effectively provided, there were also some problems in its provision, and inconsistencies in the way mutual aid requests were handled. (Conclusion, Paragraph 35) 34
Government response summary AI-generated
The government details funding for the neighbourhood policing programme, committing £376.8 million to maintain officer numbers in 2025-26 and increase the neighbourhood policing workforce, with future decisions to be set out in the upcoming Spending Review. This response does not address the issues raised concerning inconsistencies in mutual aid provision.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Deferred
HM Government · verbatim extract
Deferred
We are working with the police to ensure measures for the Police System Reform White Paper are suitably designed to tackle the policing challenges of the future. Separately, and focused specifically on their response to public order, the police have reviewed the national mobilisation plan, which now specifically describes the national public order gold role, who has explicit authority to decide on national mobilisation numbers and to set the strategic plan that forces should follow (‘tier 4’ mobilisation). The plan has been agreed at Chief’s Councils and circulated amongst forces. The Government will reflect on how these changes can be built upon in the Police Reform White Paper.
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