The licence, like a doctor's, would be renewable every five years and be taken away if an officer could not demonstrate "professional development".

It is one of 56 recommendations in a hard-hitting review by the Police Foundation, an independent think tank that warns of a crisis in policing in England and Wales.

The foundation calls for more neighbourhood policing, better support and training for sergeants and inspectors, and national diversity targets.

The report reveals that last year fraud and cybercrime accounted for 53% of all crime affecting people, yet only 0.1% led to a prosecution.

It found a 240% leap in rapes reported to police, yet prosecutions fell from 8.5% to 1.5% between 2015 and 2021.

'Policing is at a crossroads'

The report's author, Sir Michael Barber, warned: "There is a crisis of confidence in policing in this country which is corroding public trust. The reasons are deep rooted and complex - some cultural and others systemic.

"However taken together, unless there is urgent change, they will end up destroying the principle of policing by consent that has been at the heart of British policing for decades.

"Policing in this country is at a crossroads, and it cannot stand still whilst the world changes so quickly around it. Now is the moment to move forward quickly on the path of reform.

"The warning signs if we do nothing are flashing red, and we ignore them at our peril."

Investment

The report called for the creation of a Crime Prevention Agency and recommended the National Crime Agency be expanded into a British version of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation.

It urged investment in frontline policing, training and technology and the merging of back-office functions in the 43 regional forces, which it said would save hundreds of millions of pounds.

It suggested a shortfall of 6,851 detectives across the forces could be helped with better pay to encourage officers to become investigators and an expanded direct-entry scheme to attract staff from other careers.

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Sir Michael, a specialist in government policy and delivery, said: "This report represents the most comprehensive review of policing for a generation and sets out an agenda for fundamental change.

"It is the product of over two years of work and engagement with the police and a range of different stakeholders. Everyone recognises the need to shift the odds, which too often are stacked in favour of the criminal.

"We need a modern police service fit for the future which is at the cutting edge of technology and training. And we need it urgently. I believe the will is there and that the talented police officers who work tirelessly for the public would be the strongest champions of change."

The federation agreed the time to "revisit the purpose and mission of the police is now".

But it also said having a "fully funded and resourced police service" would allow it not just to react, but also to be "proactive in its thinking".

A statement from the organisation said: "The current Funding Formula needs to be reviewed. There must be a fairer system to ensure we do not end up where those who can afford a higher level of policing receive it."

It believed the recommendations of the report had the potential to restore confidence in the police to higher levels.

Fall in satisfaction rates

Figures in the study show a fall in the number of crime victims who were "very satisfied" with the police response, from 42% in 2014 to 32% in 2020.

And there's also a decline in the number of people who said the police did a good or excellent job, from 63% in 2016 to 55% in 2020.

The review was launched in 2019 to examine changes in crime, the fear of crime and other threats to public safety, and the police ability to deal with them.

Sir Michael, who worked with former senior police officers, politicians and academics, will reveal his findings in London on Tuesday morning.