London's Metropolitan Police is by far the largest police force in the United Kingdom with 34,315 officers in 2024. At 16,356 officers, the Scottish police force has the second-largest force in terms of officer numbers, followed by Greater Manchester police force, which had 8,141 officers that year. Although the Metropolitan Police are responsible for policing most of Greater London, the City of London Police force covers the historic center of London, which is around one square mile in size, and numbered 995 officers in 2024. Crime in the UK In 2023/24 there were approximately 6.66 million crimes recorded by the police in England and Wales, compared with 6.74 million in 2022/23, which was the highest number of crimes recorded in a reporting year since 2002/03. Although crime declined from the mid-2000s to the mid-2010s, there has been a noticeable increase in crimes from 2014/15 onwards. In terms of the crime rate, England and Wales had the highest in the United Kingdom, at 89.7 offences per one thousand people, compared with 55 in Scotland, and 52.3 in Northern Ireland. Cuts to policing reversed in recent years Between 2010 and 2017, the number of police officers in the UK fell from 172,000 officers to just 150,000. During this same period, the London Metropolitan Police saw officer numbers decline by around 2,000 officers. The fall in police personnel was a result of UK-wide funding cuts, during this time period, with police expenditure falling from 19.3 billion in 2009/10 to 16.35 billion by 2013/14. This policy has since been reversed, with the last UK government recruiting officers and generally spending more on the police service. As of 2024, there were 170,500 police officers in the UK, and government expenditure on the police service was 27.3 billion British pounds.

In 2024, there were approximately 170,500 police officers in the United Kingdom, compared with around 155,000 in 2003. After reaching a high of 172,000 officers in 2010, the number of police officers in the UK fell to just 150,000 officers by 2017. Although that trend has reversed since this point, there are still approximately 1,000 fewer police officers in 2023 than there were in 2010. Why did police numbers fall? The fall in police numbers can be linked to a reduction in government spending on the police. In the aftermath of the 2008 recession, the coalition government of 2010 carried out a policy of austerity, vowing to cut government spending across the board. For the police service expenditure fell sharply, from 19.3 billion British pounds a year in 2009/10 to just 16.35 billion pounds in 2013/14, leading to cuts in personnel. Police service expenditure remained below 17 billion pounds a year until spending started to increase in 2017/18, with the most recent figure of 25.29 billion pounds for the 2022/23 year even higher than 2009/10. Rising crime from the mid-2010s Between 2002 and 2014, crime rates fell across all four jurisdictions of the UK, with the sharpest declines occurring in England and Wales, and Scotland. The falling crime rates seen during this period went into reverse from that year onwards, however, with the crime rate for England and Wales jumping from 62 crimes per 1,000 people to 89.5 by 2019/20. Although some crimes such as theft stayed at relatively low levels, the number of violent crimes has seen a sharp increase recently, rising from 634,600 offences in 2013/14 to over 2.1 million in 2022/23, for England and Wales.

There were 147,746 police officers in England and Wales in 2024, the highest number of police officers during this provided time period. Between 2010 and 2018 the number of police officers in England and Wales fell from 143,734 to 122,405, with numbers increasing again from 2019 onwards.

Police recorded crime figures by Police Force Area and Community Safety Partnership areas (which equate in the majority of instances, to local authorities).

On 31 March 2024, 91.6% of police officers were White, and 8.4% were from Asian, Black, Mixed, and Other ethnic backgrounds.

The police workforce of the United Kingdom has fluctuated significantly recently, reaching a peak of ******* workers in the third quarter of 2009, before falling to ******* workers by 2017. There has been a recent uptick in the number of people working for the police since 2017, with the police workforce in the most recent quarter reaching *******.

This file contains the digital vector boundaries for Police Force Areas, in England and Wales, as at December 2021. The boundaries available are: (BFC) Full resolution - clipped to the coastline (Mean High Water mark. Contains both Ordnance Survey and ONS Intellectual Property Rights.

This file contains the names and codes for police force areas in the United Kingdom as at 31st December 2024. (File Size - 16 KB)
Field Names - PFA24CD, PFA24NM

A PDF map showing the police force areas in England and Wales as at December 2018. (File Size - 224 KB)

There were ****** police officers in London in 2024, a decline when compared with the previous year. The majority of police officers in London work for the Metropolitan Police service, which is responsible for policing most of the UK capital, with the City of London Police only responsible for policing the historical center of the city, an area the size of around one square mile.

This guidance note sets out the recommended standard presentation of statistics for police force areas at regional and sub-regional levels in the UK. (File Size - 218 KB)

Domestic abuse numbers, prevalence and types, by region and police force area, using annual data from the Crime Survey for England and Wales, police recorded crime and a number of different organisations.

Statistics on police workforce numbers in the 43 police forces in England and Wales and the British Transport Police.

Source agency: Home Office

Designation: National Statistics

Language: English

Alternative title: Police Workforce, England and Wales

This file contains the names and codes for police force areas in the United Kingdom as at 31 December 2022. (File Size - 16 KB) Field Names - PFA22CD, PFA22NMField Types - Text, TextField Lengths - 9, 19

Snapshot img

Police And Law Enforcement Equipment Market Size 2025-2029

The police and law enforcement equipment market size is forecast to increase by USD 1.51 billion, at a CAGR of 6.7% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is witnessing significant growth, driven by the increasing prioritization of public place protection in the wake of heightened security concerns.The law enforcement equipment market continues to evolve, driven by the ever-changing needs of various sectors. Mobile data terminals enable officers to access real-time information, enhancing response times and decision-making capabilities. Night vision equipment and thermal imaging cameras expand the scope of investigations, particularly in low-light conditions.
Speed detection devices and radar systems ensure road safety, while DNA analysis tools aid in forensic investigations. Emergency response vehicles are equipped with advanced communication systems and dispatch console systems for efficient coordination. Shot detection systems and taser deployment systems prioritize officer safety. Cybersecurity solutions protect sensitive data, and criminal database systems facilitate effective investigations.

Major Market Trends & Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for a 41% share in 2023.
The market is expected to grow significantly in Europe region as well over the forecast period.
Based on the End-user, the police segment led the market and was valued at USD 1.74 billion of the global revenue in 2023.
Based on the Product, the lethal and non-lethal weapons segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023.

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 3.92 Billion
Future Opportunities: USD 1.51 Billion
CAGR (2024-2029): 6.7%
North America: Largest market in 2023

What will be the Size of the Police And Law Enforcement Equipment Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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Protective gear, including ballistic vests, shields, and helmets, safeguards officers during high-risk situations. Evidence collection techniques, such as fingerprint scanners and digital forensics tools, ensure accurate and timely collection and analysis of evidence. Remote sensing technology, UAVs/drones, and facial recognition software expand the reach and capabilities of law enforcement agencies. Riot control equipment and surveillance systems deter and respond to civil unrest. Crime prevention strategies, including body-worn cameras, license-plate scanning, and conducted energy weapons (CEWs), promote transparency and accountability. Key communication tools, such as communications/radio systems, enable secure real-time coordination in the field.For instance, a large metropolitan police department implemented a digital evidence management system, resulting in a 30% increase in the number of cases solved. For instance, a large metropolitan police department implemented a digital evidence management system, resulting in a 30% increase in the number of cases solved. Tactical gear and thermal imaging are also increasingly utilized for enhanced operational readiness in low-visibility conditions.

This trend is further fueled by the integration of technology into law enforcement, such as the use of social media for investigative purposes and web real-time communication. However, the market faces challenges due to the lack of infrastructure and resources, which can hinder the adoption and effective implementation of advanced technologies and equipment.

As the demand for enhanced security solutions continues to rise, companies must navigate these challenges to capitalize on the market's potential and provide innovative, cost-effective solutions to meet the evolving needs of law enforcement agencies.

How is this Police And Law Enforcement Equipment Industry segmented?

The police and law enforcement equipment industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

End-user

  Police
  Court
  Law enforcement agencies and others


Product

  Lethal and non-lethal weapons
  Surveillance systems
  Communication systems
  Personal protective equipment and others


Type

  Body armor
  Handguns
  Batons
  Restraints
  Riot shields


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By End-user Insights

The global police segment within the broader security technology market is undergoing continuous evolution, driven by the integration of advanced digital technologies into public safety operatio

A PDF map that shows the police force areas and community safety partnerships in England and Wales as at December 2018. (File Size - 450 KB)