Britain’s biggest police force set to lose 2,000 officers due to budget cuts
BRITAIN’S biggest police force is set to lose 2,000 officers as a result of swingeing budget cuts.
And 400 civilian staff jobs could go as the Met slashes £450million from annual finances.
Some London police stations will reduce opening hours to the public from 9am to 5pm.
The 12.8 per cent reduction from this year’s £3.5billion budget is worse than “eye-watering” cuts feared by Met boss Sir Mark Rowley.
Figures for the new budget are due to be announced at 11pm tonight by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, alongside some of the tough measures that must be taken.
Matt Cane, of the Police Federation, warned: “As we have said time and again, cuts have consequences. These will clearly have a significant impact on the Met’s ability to police London.”
And retired Met Chief Supt Simon Ovens warned the cuts could mean the final straw for officers considering other careers.
The Met is already projected to be down to 32,750 officers by March from its operating strength of 35,415.
The loss of an additional 2,000 cops during the incoming financial year from April would put the force back to 2013 levels.
Sir Mark said last week he was “deeply troubled” by talks over the annual settlement.
He said the capital’s spending on policing per head of population was already lower than cities such as New York and Sydney.
This week Home Secretary Yvette Cooper promised a crackdown on shoplifting, phone theft and anti-social behaviour.
She pledged £500million for more cops, though did not specify if the figure included inflation rises.
The Met said: “We maintain a productive dialogue with the Mayor and Home Office. No final decisions have been made.”