Graeme Biggar, director general of the National Crime Agency, backed the new national force and said “the overall policing system is out of date. Crime has changed, technology has changed, and how we respond needs to change”.
He added: “These are threats that affect us all locally, but need a national and international response.”
Mahmood has previously said the current policing structure is “irrational”, announcing on Thursday that she intends to drastically cut police forces down from 43 to make way for 12 “mega” forces.
And on Friday, the government announced details of a licence scheme for police officers, and increased powers for ministers to intervene where police and fire chiefs are deemed to be failing.
The plans have drawn mixed reaction from senior figures in policing, with the Police Federation warning that “fewer forces doesn’t guarantee more or better policing for communities”.
The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners (APCC) also warned that the creation of regional forces would be expensive, time-consuming and risks separating police forces from their communities.
In November, ministers announced plans to scrap police and crime commissioners in 2028 to save at least £100m and help fund neighbourhood policing.