Police Officer Numbers

This Assembly notes the recent announcement by the Metropolitan Police that, in an attempt to fill the budget gap resulting from reckless government cuts of 20%, 891 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) are likely to be cut, up to 65 front counters or police stations closed, and borough commanders merged. Additionally, this Assembly acknowledges that London has already lost 1,956 police officers, 1,800 PCSOs, and over 1,339 civilian staff since May 2010.

This Assembly also notes that the Mayor’s revised budget guidance letter dated 19th October 2012, stated that the Metropolitan Police would have to achieve cuts of £148 million next year. Further, that this letter accepted for the first time that the Mayor may not be able to keep his election promise to have 1,000 more police officers in London than when he took office.

This Assembly is aware of the conclusion of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) that front line policing services could only be preserved if budget cuts were limited to a maximum of 12%. This Assembly also notes that the Coalition Government has set targets to cut the police budget by 20%.

This Assembly therefore urges the Mayor to enter in to urgent negotiations with the Coalition Government to achieve a better settlement for Londoners that would prevent the loss of up to 50% of police station front counters and large numbers of police that the people of London truly value and rely on to keep them safe.