Crime Solicitors

London Mayor Sadiq Khan has warned that lack of central government funding for the Metropolitan Police would make it increasingly difficult to keep Londoners safe from growing security threats.

The London Mayor said that, in the coming weeks, he would be calling on ministers to consider serious concerns over Londoners’ safety, before a government decision on funding is made in March.

The UK government is preparing to change the way the policing budget is divided between forces across the country – and Sadiq Khan said there was a “a real, and potentially devastating risk” that the Met Police could lose millions from its budget.

The last time the Home Office reviewed the police funding formula in Autumn 2015, the Met stood to lose between £184 million and £700m from its annual budget.

The Mayor says that keeping Londoners safe is his first priority – and following the horrific terrorist attacks in Berlin and Istanbul, it is more important than ever that the Met has the resources it needs to protect Londoners.

The Met Police is currently making £1 billion in savings as a result of systematic government cuts since 2010 – so far, this has led to the loss of 2,800 police staff, including hundreds of Police Community Support Officers, as well as the closure of dozens of police stations.

The London Mayor has asked the Met to go even further in terms of restructuring and reducing back office costs to make efficiency savings.

In addition, Sadiq Khan has made the decision to raise council tax from April by an average of eight pence a week per household to keep police numbers as high as possible.

Mr Khan has warned that, even with this extra funding, the Met faced an “extremely challenging” financial situation – and if further cuts were made, then a fall in police officer numbers would be inevitable.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:

“Keeping Londoners safe is my first priority as Mayor – that means keeping police officer numbers as high as possible, especially in the wake of recent horrific attacks in Berlin and Istanbul.

“But in the face of continued pressures on the police budget – exacerbated and deepened by central government – this is becoming increasingly difficult.

“This year, I have done everything I can to protect police officer numbers – including making the very difficult decision to raise council tax. But if the government subjects London’s police service to any further cuts, it will become near impossible to maintain the number of police on our streets.

“My message to the government today is clear – Londoners’ safety will be put at risk if police funding is cut any further and ministers must listen to our concerns.”

The London Mayor says that one of the main causes of under-funding was the government’s refusal to fully fund activity undertaken because of London’s position as a major global capital and the seat of government, including diplomatic protection; as well as policing major events such as protests, concerts and football matches.

This costs some £346m a year, but London currently receives funding from government for barely half of this.

The previous London Mayor, Boris Johnson, also cut the police council tax precept last year, against government advice.

Duncan Lewis Terrorism Solicitors

Duncan Lewis terrorism solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving terrorism allegations, including preparing or carrying out acts of terrorism, encouraging others to prepare for or carry out acts of terrorism, carrying out acts of terrorism, belonging to a proscribed organisation, fundraising for terrorism, or conspiracy to commit terrorism.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales – and a Duncan Lewis criminal defence solicitor can attend interviews under caution within an hour.

For expert legal advice on terrorism charges, call Duncan Lewis terrorism solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Solicitors 24-Hour Emergency Helpline on 0333 772 0607.