London’s unique policing challenges need to be considered
alongside Government cuts and changes to the police funding
formula.
The London Assembly today agreed a
unanimous motion calling on the Mayor and Met Commissioner to
seek a fair deal from the Government and ensure the safety of
London’s residents and visitors.
Unmesh Desai AM, who proposed the motion
said:
“Unless the Government commits to adequately funding London’s
police services, our ability to ensure public safety in the
long-term is called into question.
We’re a capital city, our police service provides a national
service, and that needs to be accurately reflected in the money
we get from Government. That’s simply not happening right
now.
The Mayor is doing what he can to protect London’s police
services. We now need government to step up funding to ensure
existing services are supported and we meet the challenges of the
future. With the Met already having been subjected to £600m in
government cuts, and a further £400m in the pipeline, it’s vital
London doesn’t lose out in the police funding formula
review.”
MBE AM, who
seconded the motion said:
“The Met faces immense pressures to ensure Londoners and the
growing numbers of visitors to the city are kept safe.
Sadly the threat of terrorism is never far away. The
Met budget also faces challenges from an incredibly expensive
State Visit this year by the President of the United States
following a decision made by the Prime Minister not
Londoners.
For all these reasons and many others it is vital that the
Met faces a fair deal from the Government.”
The full text of the Motion is:
“This Assembly recognises the unique set of challenges faced by
the Metropolitan Police Service when maintaining safety in a city
of international importance.
The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service has expressed
concern that a shortfall in the National, International and
Capital City grant, along with changes to the police funding
formula, could undermine public safety in the capital.
This Assembly shares these concerns. It calls on the Mayor and
Commissioner to continue to seek a fair deal from the Government
so that London receives the funding its needs to keep its
residents and visitors safe.”
Notes to editors:
1. Watch the full
webcast.
2. The motion was agreed
unanimously
