I'm from the UK but currently live in the U.S.
Most police agencies here are going digital (P25, not Tetra) but most do not encrypt yet, and most states allow some form of legal scanning. I imagine the trend will be towards encryption.
More fire and ambulance agencies tend to be on VHF or UHF still, but in urbanised areas many are switching over to trunked digital.
Are there still legal scanning opportunities in the U.K.? I remember listening to police and fire on a regular FM radio as a kid!