London: Vital officers face axe to save money

SOUTH London's crime-ridden estates could get even worse if plans to scrap key police officers are accepted - reports the South London Press.

An official document has revealed the Met is facing a massive cash shortfall.

It means police chiefs across Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham and Wandsworth are bracing themselves for a series of cutbacks which could cripple services.

One area they have been told they must rein in is spending on crime prevention - with nearly all South London's specialist officers now facing the chop.

The South London Press understands their vital work handing out advice to the public and "designing out crime" on building projects will be taken over by safer neighbourhood teams.

But senior police sources have warned the cutbacks could have "critical implications" for crime prevention across South London.

One said: "Each crime prevention officer [CPO] has developed skills in particular areas of the profession and acts as an unofficial consultant for others who have not got the same amount of knowledge in that aspect of that field.

"Sadly, with the continued expansion of housing and the static size of the number of officers, the importance of well designed new builds is critical. Otherwise I suspect there will be a steady increase in crime."

In a leaked note, the Met's deputy commissioner, Paul Stephenson, warned every borough in the force faces serious challenges ahead.

He said: "Based on current predictions, the Met is facing a shortfall in funding for the next three financial years. Each business group has been asked to offer up a minimum one per cent of their budget as savings.

"The position is challenging. We are required to deliver a balanced budget, deliver efficiency savings to a nationally agreed level, but at the same time meet stretching performance requirements for tackling crime and keeping London safe."

It is believed the minimum one per cent cut represents tens of millions of pounds from each force's budget.