A U.K. government-backed review has called on police forces across England and Wales to refocus on catching criminals and preventing and solving crime.

According to Great Britain News, police have been told to avoid political and cultural disputes while rebuilding public confidence.

The review, commissioned by the College of Policing with Home Office backing, said senior officers should remain "resolute" in "refusing to take sides" and instead focus on "the prevention, detection and prosecution of crime."

The report also criticized police leaders for favoring certain groups and called for what it described as a fundamental "reset" of policing.

Former Labour Home Secretary Lord Blunkett, who co-led the review with former Conservative policing minister Lord Herbert, said policing should not be drawn into cultural or political debates.

"The idea that people should be diverted onto other issues is entirely wrong," Blunkett said.

"It isn't the job of the police in our country to take sides of any sort; it's the job of the police to deliver," he said.

The review follows a series of high-profile policing scandals, including the rape and murder of Sarah Everard by former Metropolitan Police officer Wayne Couzens, and comes as debate has continued over claims of two-tier policing.

It said policing by consent depends on officers acting "without fear or favour."

"The background or identity of any perpetrator or victim of crime should have absolutely no bearing on the quality of treatment or respect which is given to them by the police service," the report said.

The review also found no police force in England and Wales has received an outstanding leadership rating from inspectors.

Since 2018, there have been 47 investigations involving chief officers over allegations including cronyism, nepotism, corruption, and abuse of power for sexual purposes.

The report concluded that police leadership is "not consistently effective enough" and said weak leadership has undermined the ability of officers to meet public expectations.

It also found low confidence within police ranks, with just 13% of constables and 17% of sergeants saying they work in a well-managed organization led effectively.

Among its recommendations, the review called for a leadership academy for senior officers, nationally accredited training for new recruits, and the creation of a senior constable rank for experienced frontline officers.