From Scotland Yard to community policing for 800 detectives

Detectives at Scotland Yard are to be taken out of specialist squads and put back into uniform under fundamental changes to the way the force operates in order to meet budget cuts of £500m. About 800 detectives spread among 107 specialist teams, from drug squads, to burglary and car crime units, will be moved back into boroughs, where they will work in strengthened neighbourhood teams.

The Met police input will boost the number of constables by 1,200 and turn neighbourhood police officers into investigators.

The changes are part of a blueprint which will lead to the New Scotland Yard headquarters in Victoria, central London, being sold off, along with about 200 other police buildings.

The London mayor's office for policing and crime confirmed that 65 police stations would close to the public. The "interface" between the police and the public would take place, instead, in the community.

To replace front desks at police stations the Met is considering basing officers in supermarkets, cafes and the Post Office. These would be places where the public could talk to police about crimes, buy licences, and report lost property.

The full story from The Guardian, can be read here

Tweet