Record 757 police officers barred from policing across England and Wales

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 06:55 · Archive

A record 757 police officers were barred from serving in England and Wales in the year to March 2026 after being dismissed for breaching professional standards. The figure is the highest annual total since the barred list was introduced in December 2017 and nearly treble the 257 recorded in 2020/21.

The College of Policing's figures show officers were sacked for various breaches, with dishonesty accounting for 142 cases, discriminatory behaviour for 110, and unlawful access or disclosure of information for 101. There were 87 cases involving sexual offences or misconduct, including six involving child sexual abuse and five involving rape.

In Lancashire, 11 officers were barred in 2025/26, down from 16 the previous year but significantly higher than four in 2021/22 and six in 2020/21. Across England and Wales, 334 of those barred were serving officers at the time of dismissal, while 397 had resigned and 26 had retired. Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson of the College of Policing said the figures represent 'a service that roots out those who fall short', noting that the dismissed officers represent 0.5 per cent of all serving officers.

How it is being reported

• Lancashire police officers barred from policing nearly triple in five yearsThe number of Lancashire police officers barred from policing has nearly tripled in five years amid a record nationwide crackdown on misconduct, new figures showLancashire Telegraph · 5 Nov, 05:00
• Almost 60 Lancashire Police officers banned since 2020, new figures showOfficers, specials and staff sacked after breaching professional standards are banned from returning to policingLancsLive · 3 Nov, 21:51

In this story: Lancashire Police · College of Policing · England and Wales · Lancashire · Arman Mathieson

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