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Met Police Cuts 10 Counters Amid £260M Funding Crisis

10/17/2025

50 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Police Service Reductions

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will reduce counters from 37 to 27 to close a £260 million funding gap.
Only Charing Cross and Lewisham will stay open 24/7, drawing criticism from local council members over accessibility.
Other sites will have limited hours.
The changes are expected to save about £7 million and free more than 2,900 officer hours monthly.
Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged the cuts and called for visible policing.

History

Historical Context

Since 2010, austerity measures in the UK have led to significant funding cuts for police forces, including a £6.2 billion reduction impacting the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS). By 2020, the MPS faced a £260 million funding gap, resulting in the closure of ten police counters and raising concerns about public safety and potential increases in crime rates amid ongoing financial constraints.

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Police Service Reductions

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) will reduce counters from 37 to 27 to close a £260 million funding gap.
Only Charing Cross and Lewisham will stay open 24/7, drawing criticism from local council members over accessibility.
Other sites will have limited hours.
The changes are expected to save about £7 million and free more than 2,900 officer hours monthly.
Mayor Sadiq Khan acknowledged the cuts and called for visible policing.

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