The Front Line Review has seen the Home Office engage directly with officers and staff for more than a year. Today (10 July) the department publishes everything it has heard from the front line, alongside a package of new measures which aims to transform the support given to them.

This includes plans to work with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) to embed wellbeing into the culture of policing through inspecting forces.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Our world-leading police keep us safe in the most challenging of circumstances – so it’s vital we do everything possible to support them in their roles.

Over the past year we’ve been speaking to officers and listening to their views around how they can make the service they provide even better.

As a result, we are taking action to reduce their workloads, ensure their wellbeing and give the front line a stronger voice in decision making.

The Front Line Review will be launched later today by Policing Minister Nick Hurd and the Police Federation at their headquarters.

Officers from the front line and representatives from the College of Policing, Superintendents’ Association, National Police Chiefs’ Council and Association of Police and Crime Commissioners will also be present.

The minister will also visit forces in Surrey, Wales and Essex to engage with officers directly on the new package of support.

Minister for Policing and Fire, Nick Hurd, said:

We wanted to hear directly from the front line of policing and the messages were clear.

The need for more people. The call to stop wasting police time. The desire for more of a say in the decisions that affect the front line. The need for more time and support for both training and wellbeing.

We have listened and now we are taking action with our partners to make sure police officers, staff and volunteers have the support they need, wherever they serve. This is on top of the increased investment to recruit more officers.

New guidance will also be issued empowering police to push back against responding to inappropriate requests for attendance, often health or welfare related, and where the police have neither the right skills or powers to respond.

This is designed to make a difference for vulnerable people, giving them the right support from the right agencies, while also freeing up time for the police to focus on tackling crime.

John Apter, National Chair of the Police Federation of England and Wales, says:

In my 27 years’ service, this is the first time I can recall the Home Office directly engaging with the front line to seek their views and I welcome that.

I admit to being sceptical at first, concerned the review would side-step the important issues of pay, morale and trying to do more with fewer officers, but I was reassured to hear the police minister acknowledge these views have been captured and will be considered alongside this.

It is now important that we all work together to ensure these recommendations to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing become a meaningful reality for police officers.

Other measures in today’s Front Line Review launch include:

• plans to bring the front line into the decision-making process on future policies and change
• a commitment to look into shift patterns with a view to give officers more time for wellbeing, as well as personal and professional development
• bringing police chiefs and their staff together to find solutions to the front line’s frustrations over internal bureaucracies, including administration and inefficiencies, to free up time

These measures have been informed by the feedback from police officers and staff. An Office for National Statistics (ONS) report summarising the views from 28 face-to-face workshops with police provides candid views from the front line about demand, wellbeing challenges, insecurities around personal safety, training and morale.

The government has worked closely with the College of Policing, National Police Chiefs Council, the Police Federation, HMICFRS, the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and others to see how we can learn from these findings.

The UK and Switzerland have today (Wednesday 10 July) signed an agreement committing to continue their work in tackling cross-border crime and terrorism after Brexit.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with his Swiss counterpart agreeing to build on an already strong relationship.

The MoU was co-signed by Swiss Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter during her visit to the UK, where she also met with Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay and Justice Secretary David Gauke.

The agreement sets out the two countries’ commitment to continue to work closely on areas such as counter-terrorism and financial crime, while also looking to increase information sharing and closer working between police forces.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said:

Terror knows no borders, which is why we must cooperate closely with our strongest allies to tackle the worst forms of criminal activity after Brexit.

Switzerland is a key security partner for the UK and this agreement is a sign of our unconditional commitment to contributing to Europe’s security.

The UK and Switzerland already work closely on internal security, on a bilateral basis and through international channels.

The National Crime Agency and Swiss Federal Police fedpol work closely to tackle joint threats including cybercrime, child sexual exploitation, firearms and money laundering. Intelligence on live investigations is regularly shared between Swiss law enforcement and law enforcement partners around the UK.

The MoU signals a joint intention to reinforce and build upon this cooperation in future.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay also met with Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter as the pair signed the transitional migration agreement, which would apply in a no-deal scenario with the EU. The Agreement would allow people from the UK and Switzerland to continue to apply for jobs and work in each other’s countries until December 2020 in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay said:

While our priority remains leaving the EU with a deal, we have always been clear that we will do all we can to guarantee the rights of citizens in any scenario.

This agreement allowing British and Swiss expats to work in each other’s countries until the end of 2020 is the latest practical example of us making sure that happens.

In February 2019, both countries also signed an agreement aimed at safeguarding the existing rights of UK nationals living in Switzerland and Swiss nationals living in the UK at the time of our exit from the EU. The February agreement also regulates social security claims and the recognition of professional qualifications and these rights are valid for life.

The arrangements on mutual access to labour markets were previously announced in April but were formalised in London today.

Sir Kim Darroch has decided to resign as British Ambassador to the United States. In a letter to Sir Simon McDonald, Permanent Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Sir Kim wrote:

Since the leak of official documents from this Embassy there has been a great deal of speculation surrounding my position and the duration of my remaining term as ambassador. I want to put an end to that speculation. The current situation is making it impossible for me to carry out my role as I would like.

Although my posting is not due to end until the end of this year, I believe in the current circumstances the responsible course is to allow the appointment of a new ambassador.

I am grateful to all those in the UK and the US, who have offered their support during this difficult few days. This has brought home to me the depth of friendship and close ties between our two countries. I have been deeply touched.

I am also grateful to all those with whom I have worked over the last four decades, particularly my team here in the US. The professionalism and integrity of the British civil service is the envy of the world. I will leave it full of confidence that its values remain in safe hands.

In response to Sir Kim’s letter, Sir Simon wrote:

On behalf of the Diplomatic Service, I accept your resignation with deep personal regret.

Over the last few difficult days you have behaved as you have always behaved over a long and distinguished career, with dignity, professionalism and class. The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and whole of the public service have stood with you: you were the target of a malicious leak; you were simply doing your job. I understand your wish to relieve the pressure on your family and your colleagues at the Embassy; I admire the fact that you think more of others than yourself. You demonstrate the essence of the values of British public service.

I want to stress my deep appreciation for all you have done over the last four decades. In a series of demanding roles – including National Security Adviser and Permanent Representative to the European Union – you have loyally served the government of the day without fear or favour. We have been lucky to have you as a friend and colleague. You are the best of us.

Further information

The following products were seized as they were suspected to have been obtained unlawfully, or to be beyond their use-by date, or both.

1 x Johnsons Fipronil spot-on solution for cats

1 x Meloxydil 1.5mg oral suspension for dogs

1 x Metacam 1.5mg oral suspension for dogs

1 x Frontline spot on for dogs (Non UK authorised)

1 x pipette Frontline spot on for dogs

The possession and use of these products are offences under Regulation 7 (Classification, supply and possession of the product) and Regulation 8 (Administration of the product) of the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2013.