The Crime Agents ‘Britain’s FBI’: how will it work?
Jan 28, 2026
Sarah Jones, UK Policing Minister leading the white paper on policing reform. She explains plans to reshape forces, create a national police service focused on counter-terrorism and organised crime, and boost neighbourhood policing with extra officers. Discussion covers whether MI5 stays separate, the long rollout to 2030, and political and resource risks.
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Inside The Counterterrorism Nerve Centre
- Andy and Neil were taken into the CT operations centre and described it like being in a movie with MI5, GCHQ and firearms units all present.
- They received a 40-minute briefing and saw an exercise showing where threats are monitored, which impressed them both.
Many Foiled Plots And Ongoing Risk
- Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said over a thousand extremists are being monitored and there have been many close foiled plots described as 'goal line saves'.
- Neil and Andy stress national security can't promise 100% protection and some luck is involved.
How Terror Risks Are Prioritised
- Neil explains MI5 and CT policing use a 'grid' to prioritise active subjects of interest based on risk and resources each day and week.
- Analysts bid for resources and senior teams make hard choices knowing some decisions may later be judged wrong.