A Sunday Mail report has revealed that London’s Metropolitan Police Service is one of the few UK police forces due to increase the numbers of police officers in 2008.
According to the report many forces are expected to cut the numbers of Police officers while increasing the numbers of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) who have fewer powers and are cheaper to train and employ.
However the Met is expected to see an increase of 585 full officers taking the total to over 31,600 while the numbers of PCSOs in the capital is projected to grew by almost 900 to just over 4,500.
The force is funded from two main sources. Central government provides around 78 per cent of the funding with the rest coming from the Mayor’s Council Tax precept which is paid by all London households.
Under the Met’s Safer Neighbourhoods initiative each neighourhood has a dedicated policing team of 6 six officers, usually a Sergeant, two Police Constables and three PCSOs.
External Links:
Sunday Mail
MPS Safer Neighbourhoods
