Territorial force vs specialist force

Territorial force versus Specialist force

Policing in England and Wales is delivered by a combination of territorial police forces covering defined geographical areas and national or specialist forces with specific functions.

Side by side

	Territorial force	Specialist force
What it is	A police force responsible for policing a defined geographical area; there are 43 territorial forces in England and Wales	A police body with a specialist or national function, such as the National Crime Agency, British Transport Police, or Metropolitan Police specialist commands
Jurisdiction	Constables have jurisdiction throughout England and Wales but primarily operate within their force area	Jurisdiction may be national (NCA), sector-specific (BTP on the rail network), or tied to particular functions
Governance	Accountable to a Police and Crime Commissioner (except the Metropolitan Police, which is accountable to the Mayor of London)	Governed by their own statutory framework; NCA accountable to the Home Secretary, BTP to the British Transport Police Authority
HMICFRS inspection	Subject to regular PEEL inspections by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services	NCA subject to separate inspection regime; BTP inspected by HMICFRS; other bodies subject to their own oversight
Mutual aid	Can request and provide mutual aid to other territorial forces under section 24 of the Police Act 1996	NCA officers can be designated with constabulary powers; mutual aid arrangements vary by body
Complaint handling	Complaints handled locally or referred to the IOPC	BTP complaints handled via the BTP Professional Standards; NCA subject to the IOPC for certain matters

Which applies

The 43 territorial forces deliver the vast majority of day-to-day policing. Specialist forces and agencies like the National Crime Agency focus on organised crime, serious crime, and counter-terrorism. Understanding which force has jurisdiction matters when reporting offences, making complaints, or seeking data from police bodies.

Last updated 12 October 2026