Race Action Plan has not had 'meaningful impact', says report
A lack of clear national leadership, accountability structures, and poor long-term planning has left the multi-million-pound, five-year Police Race Action Plan without meaningful impact, according to a major independent report published today.
The final report from the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board (ISOB), tasked with overseeing the Police Race Action Plan, concludes that the Plan has produced uneven, fragile progress, far too dependent on individual goodwill rather than wholesale commitment from police leadership.
Drawing on five years of scrutiny and 36 in-depth interviews with community leaders, civil society organisations and policing professionals, the report is a closing account that sets out clear actions for those responsible for delivering change. It also includes a practical toolkit for those undertaking scrutiny work in future.
Institutional racism remains a point of contention within policing. As of March 2026, only 6 of the 44 forces covered by the Race Action Plan have publicly acknowledged institutional racism. The report argues that without this baseline recognition, a programme intended to deliver an anti racist police service is unlikely to achieve its aims.
The report comes as the Police Race Action Plan has ended as a standalone programme, along with independent scrutiny by the ISOB. The board warns that progress now depends on embedding accountability within core systems, including the inclusion of race metrics in the HMICFRS inspection framework and direct Home Office oversight. It has also called for a shift from activity to outcomes for Black communities, a gap that persisted throughout the Plan’s lifetime.
Abimbola Johnson, Chair of the Independent Scrutiny and Oversight Board, said: “Five years ago, policing committed to improving outcomes for Black communities. That commitment has not been met. Progress has been slow, uneven and too dependent on individual effort rather than institutional change.
“Without properly enforced legal obligations, a robust inspection framework and clear consequences for failure, progress on race equity within policing will remain partial and reversible. This mirrors the pattern of previous reforms, dating back to Scarman and Macpherson. Black communities now deserve structural accountability. Government and policing must decide whether to deliver it or allow reform to stall again.”
Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, Chair of the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said: “There is no doubt that policing has made huge strides in certain areas under the Police Race Action Plan (PRAP) since it launched, thanks to the commitment of thousands of people both inside and outside policing.
“Their efforts should not be overlooked in creating a service which has a more diverse workforce, far greater understanding of disproportionality in how we use our powers and listens far better to a broader range of our communities.
“PRAP is the only national police programme which has committed to this model of independent scrutiny delivered by ISOB and I want to reiterate my huge thanks to Abimbola and her board for their work, which has provided a constructive, robust and credible overview of the plan’s progress and where we still need to make improvements.
“I share their conclusion that there is still far more work to be done. Progress in this area has been inconsistent, too often dependent on committed individuals and not driven by the kind of systemic and deep rooted cultural change I and many others envisaged at the outset of this plan.
“PRAP will continue in a new guise with a strong operational focus on anti-racism and it is vital that leaders across policing continue to recognise its importance and remain committed to deliver a service that earns the trust and confidence of all our officers, staff and communities we serve.”
The report also sets out clear actions across the system. The Home Office is urged to establish and fund independent scrutiny, mandate national data standards, and embed race equity within inspection and performance frameworks.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council and College of Policing must commit to full participation in the Maturity Matrix, ensure transparent, disaggregated data, and define meaningful standards for community engagement. Future scrutiny bodies must operate with clear outcomes, demand access to granular data, and use public reporting as an active tool of accountability.