Mayor Sadiq Khan said he’d look at the details of reforms closely “to ensure it doesn’t adversely affect policing in this great city”, reports Kumail Jaffer, Local Democracy Reporter

Sadiq Khan at the budget committee (credit London Assembly)

The government’s new policing model – which includes a National Police Service (NPS) and the creation of twelve “mega” police forces – could have significant implications for how the Met Police operates, Sir Sadiq Khan has admitted.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on Monday (26th) revealed details of a complete overhaul of policing in England and Wales which would see the Met’s counter-terror policing work transferred to a national body.

The mayor has suggested that reduced funding for counter-terror operations that the Met has previously been responsible for will likely have a knock-on effect on the force as a whole.

He told the London Assembly’s budget and performance committee: “The Met Police Service (MPS) has a huge amount of work in relation to counter-terrorism, and often receives monies as part of the counter-terror support the MPS gives.

“A lot of that is ring-fenced, but there can be no doubt if there is a National Police Service, it’ll have implications for the strategic and national roles the MPS does.

“[Met Commissioner Sir] Mark [Rowley] has been working closely with the Home Office in terms of not just providing his expertise to what the new NPS should be, but also clearly the consequences on the MPS.”

Admitting that he has only spoken to the home secretary about the “principles” of the NPS rather than the detail, Khan said that, together with Rowley, he would look at the details of the reforms closely “to ensure it doesn’t adversely affect policing in this great city”.

However, he added: “I’m sure there’ll be some downside, but the key thing is to read the document, listen to what the home secretary says and then work this through.”

The mayor also suggested any impact on the Met would take time to come in, and would certainly not affect the force’s budget for the coming year. Londoners are set to pay more than £15 extra in the GLA precept on their council tax bill next year to make up a £60million funding gap for the Met’s operations.

“I’d be astonished if it has an impact on the 2026/27, if you look at the timelines and the work that needs to be undertaken, including the consultation,” Khan said. “We’ll wait and see. It’s too early to say.”

The home secretary has been warned that her reforms will need to be paired with “significant investment” in frontline policing.

Ben Priestley, the national officer for policing for trade union Unison, said: “Any effective reform of police services will need significant investment. Forces are on course to be £1billion short of their current budget needs by 2027, which means vital police staff jobs are already being cut.

“Proposals for a strategic workforce plan, an end to police officer number targets and the rebuilding of neighbourhood policing are good news. There’s a real opportunity here to improve the training, development, career prospects and pay for police staff.”

Rowley has previously supported the idea of the national responsibility for counter-terrorism being removed from his force.

A joint statement from the Met Police, counter-terrorism policing and the National Police Chiefs’ Council said: “Modern crime requires a modern policing response. We support and have been calling for this ambitious step to bring together some of the most capable policing teams in the country into a single National Police Service.

“This builds on the high international regard that already exists among partners for counter-terrorism policing, whose capabilities and professionalism are recognised globally.

“This transformation, however, must be delivered with care. Its success depends on maintaining strong connections with local policing and the communities we serve.

“Neighbourhood officers remain indispensable in disrupting organised crime and countering terrorism. Their relationships, insights and presence on the ground are foundational to public safety.

“As we implement this reform programme, protecting those vital local links will be essential to ensuring the new National Police Service strengthens – not separates – the bond between policing and the public.”

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