Policing in the UK is currently experiencing the most seismic shift in its nature, organization and purpose in recent history. Whilst cost and efficiency saving in the wake of the financial crisis will impact the size of the police, plans for increased privatisation, outsourcing and downsizing of core police functions will present further challenges ahead. Analysis of the problems at hand is further complicated by the variations and discrepancies between different local police forces around the UK: a factor that makes it impossible to generalize.

This book examines the fractured terrain of UK policing and considers the way in which state policing in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is diverging on many issues, but converging on others. Issues covered include:

• the effects of the devolution of criminal justice and policing powers to Scotland and Northern Ireland,
• the impact of the fiscal crisis and coalition austerity measures,
• debates about the likely impact of Scottish independence,
• the threat of organised crime and international terrorism,
• the peace process in Northern Ireland and on-going concerns about the dissident republican threat.

This is the first book to consider the myriad of issues and problems in policing across the UK and is essential reading for students, academics and researchers engaged with the criminal justice system, public policy and state policing.