Public trust is the foundation of effective policing. Without confidence in the police, communities are less likely to report crimes, cooperate with investigations, or view law enforcement as a legitimate authority. Yet across England and Wales, public perception of the police remains worryingly low despite significant increases in funding and renewed efforts to address issues that matter most to local communities.
For the 2026/27 financial year, police funding in England and Wales has been set at up to £21 billion. This represents an increase of £796 million compared to the previous year and covers territorial police forces, counter-terrorism operations, and wider policing initiatives. The government’s stated priorities include neighbourhood policing, violence reduction, tackling retail crime, and combating serious and organised crime.
On paper, these priorities align closely with the concerns of communities. Most people want to feel safe in their communities, see visible policing, and know that crimes affecting everyday life are being addressed. Given the increased investment and focus on these issues, it raises an important question: why does public confidence in the police remain so low?
The Impact of Misconduct and Internal Culture
One of the most significant factors affecting public trust has been a series of highly publicised incidents involving serving police officers. These cases have generated widespread outrage and prompted serious questions about police culture, accountability, and leadership.
When those entrusted with upholding the law are found to have broken it, the damage extends far beyond the actions of individual officers. Such incidents can create the perception that misconduct is tolerated or that systems designed to identify and remove unsuitable officers are ineffective. As a result, confidence in the entire institution suffers.
For many members of the public, rebuilding trust requires more than disciplinary action after incidents occur. It requires evidence that police forces are actively preventing misconduct through stronger vetting procedures, robust supervision, and a culture that promotes integrity and professionalism.
The Disappearance of Neighbourhood Policing
For decades, neighbourhood policing has been one of the most visible and reassuring aspects of law enforcement. Seeing officers on foot patrol, engaging with local residents, and understanding community concerns helped foster a sense of safety and connection.
However, many communities now feel that this visible presence has diminished significantly. Residents often report rarely seeing police officers in their local areas except when responding to major incidents.
This perceived absence has contributed to growing frustration, particularly when combined with concerns that high-volume crimes such as shoplifting, burglary, vandalism, and anti-social behaviour are not being adequately addressed. Whether due to resource pressures, competing priorities, or operational demands, the result is often the same: members of the public feel that their concerns are not being heard and that their safety is not a priority.
When communities do not regularly see officers or experience effective responses to everyday crime, confidence in the police can quickly erode.
Concerns Around Discrimination and Use of Force
The UK is home to diverse communities, and policing must command the confidence of people from all backgrounds. However, trust in the police is not experienced equally across society.
Many individuals from minority ethnic communities continue to express concerns about how they are perceived and treated by law enforcement. Questions surrounding stop-and-search powers, the use of force, and broader issues of discrimination have contributed to lower levels of trust among certain groups.
Even when police actions are lawful and justified, negative experiences can have a lasting impact on public perception. Trust is influenced not only by outcomes but also by how people feel they have been treated during interactions with officers.
Ensuring that all members of the public are treated fairly, respectfully, and consistently remains one of the most important challenges facing modern policing.
What Are the Police Doing to Improve Public Sentiment?
Recognising the need to rebuild confidence, police forces and policymakers have proposed a number of measures aimed at improving relationships with communities and increasing public trust.
Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee
A key proposal is the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, which aims to ensure every community has named and contactable officers, guaranteed response times to local concerns, and dedicated anti-social behaviour leads. The objective is to strengthen local accountability and make policing more visible and accessible.
Increased Visibility
Police leaders acknowledge that visibility matters. Plans to increase foot patrols in crime hotspots and areas where trust is particularly low are designed to reassure communities and create more opportunities for positive interactions between officers and residents.
Procedural Justice Training
Research consistently shows that people are more likely to trust authority figures when they feel they have been treated fairly and respectfully. Procedural justice training focuses on active listening, understanding different perspectives, and ensuring decisions are explained clearly and fairly. The goal is to improve public experiences and reduce negative encounters.
Cultural Reform
Addressing misconduct remains central to rebuilding confidence. Proposed reforms include more rigorous vetting processes, stronger standards for professional behaviour, and national inclusion strategies aimed at creating a police service that reflects and respects the communities it serves. Removing problematic officers and preventing future misconduct will be essential to restoring credibility.
Clearer Communication
Communication plays a crucial role in public trust. Police forces are increasingly recognising the importance of providing timely and transparent updates, particularly during critical incidents. Clear explanations, honesty about mistakes, and avoiding defensive language can help communities feel informed and respected.
The Road Ahead
While increased funding and operational priorities demonstrate a commitment to improving public safety, money alone cannot rebuild trust. Public confidence is shaped by everyday experiences, visible policing, fair treatment, and confidence that officers are held accountable when standards fall short.
The challenge facing policing today is not simply reducing crime; it is rebuilding legitimacy in the eyes of the public. Achieving this will require sustained effort, meaningful cultural change, and a renewed focus on the relationship between police and the communities they serve.
Ultimately, trust is earned rather than assumed. The success of current reforms will be judged not by the size of the budget, but by whether communities feel safer, better represented, and more confident in the police officers who serve them.
References
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing/from-local-to-national-a-new-model-for-policing-accessible
https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/police-standards-and-culture-restoring-public-trust/https://vulnerabilitypolicing.org.uk/news/police-are-failing-to-meet-the-publics-minimum-standards-of-service-researchers-find/
https://www.college.police.uk/guidance/improving-public-confidence-police
