Met ‘incapable’ of policing London within three years, warns report
Tuesday, July 3, 2012
7:48 AM
The Metropolitan Police could be incapable of providing an effective service within three years, it has been warned.
That is according to a report by Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) about the impact of budget cuts on services around the country.
Almost 6,000 fewer officers are expected to be on the beat in three years, as a result.
But Scotland Yard has not yet presented a plan for dealing with proposed cuts.
High-profile policing operations including the Diamond Jubilee celebrations and the Olympic Games have brought more pressure on budgets.
Sir Denis O’Connor, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, said: “The essence of it is they’ve got a £233 million gap.
“They’ve already got plans to take over £500 million out, so this is on top of that.
“It will obviously start after the Olympics.”
Scotland Yard should draw up by autumn a strategy for balancing budget cuts with policing the streets, said Sir Denis.
“I think the Met has got to come up with a plan by the late autumn, because if you’re going to take money out you actually have time to do it otherwise it becomes very, very clunky.
“They have declared an absolute determination... that they have a plan.
“It’s appropriate to give them some space to do that. We would all rather this was done well, rather than done badly.”
More Crime
- Andrew Jaipaul murder trial: frightened witnesses saw him die in front of them
- Man shot in Bromley
- Police reappeal for information after man pushed on Tottenham Court Road Tube station platform
- Search for three men after Edgware robbery
- Man charged with 13 offences across Camden, Barnet and Haringey
- CCTV images of suspect released after sexual assaults on buses
- Nine charged with sexual offences against girl, 14
- Suspected drug dealers arrested in Soho
- Remy available to face Liverpool
- Man critically ill in hospital following assault nearby Hackney’s Dolphin pub
- Andrew Jaipaul murder trial: brutal stabbing result of Islington gang warfare
- Men in orange boiler suits rob Carphone Warehouse in Hampstead - CCTV images released
- West Ham fans charged with violent disorder following fight before Sunderland game
- Police release images of men wanted for questioning after woman racially abused on West Croydon to London Bridge train
- Four charged with conspiracy to rob
Around the Web See all
Downing Street and Abbey Road signs auctioned off
Famous signs for streets including Abbey Road and Downing Street have gone under the hammer.
- London Zoo searching for female fish to help save critically endangered species
- Thank You London gives people chance to show their gratitude
- Royal Ascot sets out 2013 style guide for Royal Enclosure
- VIDEO: Shepherd drives geese across Putney Bridge
- VIDEO: Jon Snow does the Harlem Shake at London charity award ceremony
0 comments