The Metropolitan Police is planning an internal reorganisation of its Roads and Transport Policing Command, under which the specialist work currently carried out by the Commercial Vehicle Unit (CVU) is expected to be absorbed into a newly created Road Danger Reduction Team.
The plans emerged through information released under the Freedom of Information Act and cited in industry reporting. According to the FOI response, the reorganisation represents a significant structural change within the Met’s roads policing function and is expected to take effect around February 2026.
While the Met confirmed that the CVU’s specialist activities would be incorporated into the new Road Danger Reduction Team, it also stated that the exact structure, scope and responsibilities of the new unit had not yet been finalised at the time of the response.
Shift in structure, not yet in detail
The Commercial Vehicle Unit plays a specialist role in enforcing road safety and compliance among heavy goods vehicles, vans and commercial fleets operating in London. Its work includes roadside checks, vehicle standards enforcement and addressing road danger linked specifically to commercial traffic.
The plans came to light following a Freedom of Information request submitted by industry publication Commercial Motor. According to the information disclosed, the reorganisation represents a significant change within the Met’s roads policing function and is expected to take effect around February 2026.
Key questions remain unanswered, including how specialist expertise will be retained within the new team, whether dedicated commercial vehicle enforcement capacity will continue to exist, and how the change may affect roadside enforcement activity across the capital.
Timing set, scope still unclear
The FOI response indicates that the reorganisation is expected to be implemented from around February 2026, suggesting that planning is already under way. At the same time, the lack of clarity over the remit and operational focus of the Road Danger Reduction Team points to an ongoing internal design process rather than a fully defined model.
Industry stakeholders have noted that commercial vehicle enforcement requires specific technical knowledge and experience, particularly in relation to vehicle standards, drivers’ hours and operator compliance. The absence of detail on how these capabilities will be embedded in the new structure has prompted calls for greater transparency.
