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The number of police sergeants on London's neighbourhood policing teams is to be halved over the next two years as part of budget cutbacks, it has been revealed.
The Met says the number of sergeants on the Safer Neighbourhood Teams is to be reduced by 100 next year and by 200 the year after.
The cuts would mean the total number falling from 630 sergeants today to just 330.
Labour London Assembly member Joanne McCartney said: "This is real blow to neighbourhood policing - the jewel in the Met's crown in recent years. It comes as a shock as we've been told the future of the teams has not yet been decided.
"Losing this many officers from the streets of London brings home the reality of the government's cuts."
She added that the decision to cut the number of sergeants was in contrast to Mayor Boris Johnson's pledge in 2008 when he declared: "I fully support the Safer Neighbourhood Team model, and I am committed to ensuring that there are at least six officers in every ward."
The Met has anounced a major review of the 630 local ward teams each of which includes three PCSOs, two police constables and a sergeant.
Kit Malthouse, the deputy mayor for policing, said there was a commitment to maintaining the number of Safer Neighbourhood Teams throughout London.
He said police faced tough choices in meeting next year's budget but added: "It has been our overriding ambition to maintain the front line. We want to reduce the number of managers and administrators but increase the number of doers, the people on the front line."
The number of sergeants will be reduced through natural wastage.
However, further doubts over the future of the teams emerged as one borough council announced plans to reduce the number of its SNTs from 20 to nine.
Merton Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Dick Wolfenden said he had already had to cut 11 per cent of his budget for this financial year, and was now faced with making further cuts.
Speaking at Merton Council, Chief Supt Wolfenden said: "The future doesn't look great. We've got to find between 4 and 5 per cent in the next financial year.
"By 2014 I'll be operating with 25 to 30 per cent less than I had eight months ago.
"If that was in the private sector, if someone asked you to run your business with 30 per cent less cash, most people would find that very difficult.
"My life, right now, is all about spinning plates and trying to keep the shop open. It's been incredibly difficult and I'm fighting battles on all sorts of different fronts."
Reader views (9)
The Safer Neighbourhood Team in our area is key in reducing the number of thugs on our streets. Al and his team are sensible, supportive and have common sense - PLEASE tell me where else does one get that today? Maybe one should look elsewhere to save money?
- Maddy & Patrick, Rotherhithe Southwark London, 10/06/2011 19:08
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Labour is on records as admitted they 'coasted on anti-social behaviour'. Now we see the Nick n' Dave show doing the same. How many more kids have to die, how many more riots and how much more crime will it take before we have a Home Secretary with the political will to cry 'ENOUGH!!' without kow-towing to the politically-correct fairies?
- Gatedweller, People's Republic of Newham, 30/01/2011 12:08
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Another story about how things will be different when changes are brought in. Errr - yeah! And how could they not change?
- Rogan, Irving, 29/01/2011 06:41
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Mickinlondon, I thought it was a magicians trick! Unlike you, I would keep both halves, the bottom half can pound the beat, whilst the top half can sit behind the desk clearing up the paperwork! No?
- alan, carlisle uk,
That sounds good Alan.
But policemans brains are in the bottom part.
- mickinlondon., london, 28/01/2011 17:41
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Mickinlondon, I thought it was a magicians trick! Unlike you, I would keep both halves, the bottom half can pound the beat, whilst the top half can sit behind the desk clearing up the paperwork! No?
- alan, carlisle uk, 28/01/2011 16:54
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Bad timing, especially as a fatwa's now been declared on Theresa May.
- John Bull, Londonistan, 28/01/2011 16:18
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Not FRONT LINE then.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford, 28/01/2011 15:27
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That's ok, that will reduce the number of thugs in uniforms by 50% too.
- Joe Jones, Leicester UK, 28/01/2011 14:53
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Quote: The number of police sergeants on London's neighbourhood policing teams is to be halved over the next two years as part of budget cutbacks, it has been revealed.
What is the good of having half a sergeant?
And if we end up with half sergeants; will they keep the bottom halves with the feet on them.
- mickinlondon., london, 28/01/2011 14:35
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