Huge increase in police shifted off local beat onto national security duties

7.21.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Apr 2004

Police officers are spending up to 80% more time away from local policing and instead are being deployed on duties such as national security and military operations, according to new research by the London Assembly Liberal Democrats published today.

Using data released by the Metropolitan Police Service, the Lib Dems found that borough police officers spend on average more than eight days every year deployed on national duties such as security and military operations - George Bush's visit, for example - rather than local policing duties. This adds up to an average 38% increase on the previous year1. Some boroughs have been particularly affected, with up to an 80% increase in the number of days that officers are taken off the local beat.

Graham Tope, London Assembly Lib Dem police spokesperson said:

"Londoners are paying the price of the Metropolitan Police Service's national security responsibilities. Despite paying more in their council tax precept2 for their police service, they're not reaping the benefits as the number of local police officers deployed to counter-terrorism and security duties continues to rise.

"This increase could affect the Met's ability to meet its crime reduction targets in areas like street crime and car crime, which are key local policing concerns."

He added: "The Met's new Safer Neighbourhood project provides dedicated officers who cannot be taken off borough duties. It would help reassure Londoners that despite the necessary redeployment of officers in these difficult times, local policing will not be compromised.

"However there is only funding for the scheme to cover three wards in each borough. The project's expansion is in doubt unless central government guarantees its future funding."