How Many Police Officers
Are There in the UK?
A clear, data-led explanation of total police officer numbers across England and Wales, how they’ve changed since 2010, and what the figures actually mean.
Short Answer
As of 31 March 2025, there are approximately 149,500 police officers serving in England and Wales.
This is based on official Home Office Police Workforce Statistics. This figure includes:
- Full-time equivalent (FTE) sworn officers
- All ranks, from Constable to Chief Officer
- Officers serving across all 43 territorial forces
The UK total varies slightly when including Police Scotland, the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and non-territorial forces. England and Wales account for the vast majority of UK officers.
The Official Figure Explained
The most recent Home Office publication (year ending March 2025) reports approximately 149,500 officers in England and Wales. This number reflects:
Stabilised Workforce
The post-Uplift growth has moved from expansion to maintenance.
Historic Headcount
The highest sustained headcount since before austerity reductions.
Experience Shift
A workforce that has shifted significantly in experience profile.
However, raw headcount alone does not tell the full story.
England and Wales vs The Whole UK
The UK policing landscape includes three distinct jurisdictions. England and Wales make up the overwhelming majority of UK police officer numbers.
When people search “how many police officers in the UK”, they are usually referencing England and Wales statistics.
Historical Context 2010–2025
Police officer numbers peaked around 2010 before significant reductions during the austerity period. Between 2010 and the mid-2010s, officer numbers fell sharply, experience levels shifted, and recruitment slowed.
The Cycle of Numbers
Austerity decline and recruitment slowdown.
Police Uplift Programme: 20,000 additional officers recruited.
Headcount returns to pre-austerity levels, but experience profile remains young.
This creates a structural difference between “numbers” and “experience”. A large proportion of officers now have under five years’ service.
Police Officers Per Population
A common question is not just how many officers exist, but how many officers serve per head of population. Officer-to-population ratios vary by region.
Urban Density
Metropolitan and large city forces typically maintain higher density to manage complex public order and volume crime demand.
Rural Spread
Rural forces often operate with lower numerical density but face challenges with geographic spread and response times.
Headline numbers alone do not reflect:
- Crime demand vs officer volume
- Public order & specialist obligations
- Investigation complexity growth
- Counter-terror & protection duties
Workforce strength is not simply about volume — it is also about distribution and specialisation.
How Many Officers Have Less Than 5 Years’ Service?
While overall headcount has recovered, a significant portion of the workforce now has relatively low service length. This matters because:
- Tutor capacity becomes stretched as fewer experienced officers are available to train new intakes.
- Supervision burden increases on frontline sergeants managing larger cohorts of probationers.
- Institutional knowledge decreases in specialist departments like CID and forensics.
Are Police Numbers Increasing or Decreasing?
Officer numbers rose during the Uplift Programme but have now stabilised. The key emerging issue is not headline headcount — it is voluntary resignation.
Year Ending March 2025
8,795
Total Leavers
53.1%
Resigned Voluntarily
This represents structural retention pressure rather than numerical collapse. High recruitment volumes are currently being offset by record levels of voluntary exits.
What the Headline Number Does NOT Show
The total officer number does not reveal the actual deployable strength of the frontline. It masks several critical availability factors:
Limited Duties
Medical or disciplinary restrictions on operational deployment.
Long-Term Sickness
Increasing rates of mental health related absence.
Why This Question Trends Every Year
Search interest in “how many police officers are there” spikes during government reform announcements, media reporting on crime trends, and budget settlements. Raw figures are often cited without context.
This page exists to provide structured, neutral explanation based on official datasets, moving past political framing to provide operational context.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many police officers are there in England and Wales?
Approximately 149,500 as of 31 March 2025, according to official Home Office statistics.
How many police officers are there in the UK?
England and Wales account for roughly 149,500 officers. The UK total is slightly higher when including Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Are police numbers higher than in 2010?
Headcount has returned to similar levels as 2010, but workforce experience levels differ significantly.
Are police numbers falling again?
The key pressure is currently voluntary resignation rather than dramatic headcount collapse.
Where can I see the full breakdown?
See the Police Workforce 2025 Explained guide within the Workforce Statistics Hub.