Defence · Homeland security · 16 October 2026
Home Office expands police support and launches security review
Home Office says it has expanded police support and launched an independent review into protective security for those in public life. It says Sir Stephen Lovegrove will conduct the review to determine if current arrangements are fit for purpose. The review will not include an assessment of individual cases.
Home Office says the Home Secretary has expanded dedicated police support and announced an independent review of the UK’s protective security system. The review aims to address risks from terrorism, extremism, state threats, harassment, and intimidation. It covers high-profile individuals including royals, government ministers, MPs, locally elected representatives, and other prominent individuals in British politics.
It says Sir Stephen Lovegrove will conduct the review to determine if current security arrangements are fit for purpose. The review will examine how existing security is provided and whether funding and measures are used effectively and proportionately. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: "Those who enter public life do so to serve. Robust debate and criticism are part of the job. Threats, abuse and violence are not."
The scope encompasses protection for high-risk individuals and sites such as government buildings and diplomatic estates. The Home Secretary will consider recommendations to reform and rebalance the system to ensure adequate security and value for money.
The announcement states that the review will not include an assessment of individual cases. It does not specify a timeline for the completion of the review or the publication of its findings. It does not detail the specific level of additional police support being provided to political party leaders who are not MPs, peers, former MPs, former members of devolved parliaments, and political party spokespeople.
Written by StreetOwl from Home Office’s own announcement. It was drafted by StreetOwl’s own model, every figure and quotation was checked by code against the announcement, and it was read and approved by Michael Rossi before it went up. It says what was announced, not what anyone should do about it.
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