The Metropolitan Police has seen its officer numbers fall by more than 1,700 since the Labour Party entered government last year, according to official figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws. This represents a significant reduction in police presence in the capital at a time when violent crime remains a critical concern.
A Sharp Decline in Police Manpower
When Labour took office, the Met Police force stood at 33,767 officers. By the end of September this year, that number had plummeted to just 32,055 – a loss of 1,712 officers or a 5 per cent decrease. The data reveals that the majority of this decline is due to officers resigning from their posts, rather than reaching retirement age.
Between April and September, Scotland Yard recorded 698 police officer resignations, compared to 462 retirements and 161 transfers to other forces. This exodus of experienced personnel is creating a substantial gap in policing capacity.
Frontline and Neighbourhood Policing Hollowed Out
One of Labour's flagship election promises was to 'restore neighbourhood policing' by recruiting 'thousands' of extra officers. Sir Keir Starmer personally vowed to recruit 13,000 officers, Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), and special constables to boost numbers above their 2010 peak.
However, the reality on the ground tells a different story. The number of Met officers dedicated to local and frontline policing has actually fallen. Between the end of June 2024 and the end of September this year, it dropped by 3.7 per cent, from 21,544 to 20,743. This represents a loss of 801 frontline officers in just three months.
Political Fallout and Rising Crime Concerns
The Conservative opposition has seized on the figures, accusing the government and London's Mayor of failing the capital. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp stated: 'Keir Starmer and Sadiq Khan are running policing in the capital into the ground. The Met has lost 1,700 officers in just over a year, knife crime is through the roof and neighbourhood policing has been hollowed out as criminals walk free.'
Mr Philp highlighted alarming crime statistics, noting an 86 per cent rise in knife crime in London over a decade and a record-low clear-up rate for the Met of just 4.7 per cent. He pledged that a future Conservative government would rebuild police numbers, triple stop-and-search powers, and hire 10,000 new officers.
In response, the Home Office pointed to its commitment, stating it has 'doubled funding to £200million' to help initiate the delivery of 13,000 more neighbourhood officers. The figures, however, show the challenge is not just one of recruitment but of retention, with resignations currently outpacing retirements. The debate over public safety and police resources in London is set to intensify as these trends continue.
