Number of UK traffic police at 10 year low

In 2015, there were 5,237 officers working in a range of roles from traffic units on the roads to safety camera partnerships focused on mobile speed enforcement. As of 2025, the RAC says this has fallen to just 4,149 – a reduction of 1,088 reduction officers.

Looking at police officers actually out on the roads, the reduction is greater with the number of traffic units decreasing by 1,116 from 5,005 in 2015 to 3,889 in 2025 – a 22% reduction.

There has also been a slight decline in the number of officers dedicated to safety camera partnerships, with 42 fewer this year (144) than 10 years ago (186).

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “It’s clear from our analysis that the number of officers dedicated to roads policing is at a 10-year low, which can only be seen as bad for the enforcement of motoring laws. Drivers we’ve surveyed express strong concerns about the dangers posed by others on the road breaking traffic laws, whether that’s speeding, drink or drug-driving, using a handheld mobile phone, driving in an aggressive way or not having tax or insurance.”