UK Government to Create ‘British FBI’, Roll Out Nationwide Facial Recognition Cameras

The opposition Conservatives’ shadow home secretary, Chris Philp, criticized the plan, saying it would create forces that would be too big.

Undated image of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood speaking in the House of Commons in London, England. UK Parliament/PA

The British Home Secretary unveiled plans in Parliament on Jan. 26 for a new National Police Service (NPS), which is modeled on the FBI and will take over the fight against terrorism and organized crime in the United Kingdom.

At the weekend, Shabana Mahmood described the NPS as a “British FBI” and said it would alleviate the burden on local police forces, allowing them to concentrate on issues such as shoplifting and street robbery.