The Metropolitan Police Service
Her Majesty’s Inspector for this force is Stephen Otter QPM. Contact him via the National regional office.
Read about the force area…
- The MPS’s operating environment is unique. It is most comparable with the other large metropolitan forces (Greater Manchester, West Midlands and West Yorkshire).
- Ideally, however, HMIC would like to compare the MPS with forces that police other world capitals, and who may face more similar challenges.
- The MPS polices most of Greater London, with the exception of the ‘Square Mile’ covered by the City of London Police.
- London has a highly diverse population, speaking hundreds of languages. Some of the UK’s most affluent and deprived neighbourhoods are found in London, often side-by-side.
- London’s most densely populated boroughs have higher-than-average crime rates. It also faces a significant gun crime threat and is targeted by major crime gangs, such as drug traffickers.
- London is the seat of Government and the Monarchy, a leading financial centre, international transport hub, and a tourist attraction. The MPS polices Heathrow. London has been a high-profile terrorist target for decades.
- The MPS leads and co-ordinates UK counter-terrorist policing.
- More than 4,000 events and demonstrations are policed each year, including the New Year’s Eve celebrations and Notting Hill Carnival. There are many major football matches.
- The force is preparing for the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games, the UK’s largest peace-time policing operation.
- Following violence in 2010, at tuition fees protests, the MPS has reversed its recent policy of putting fewer officers on duty at protests and demonstrations, and will now keep more on stand-by.
Recent reports on this force
- Haringey – Joint inspection of police custody suites
- Revisiting police relationships – progress report
- Policing in austerity – One year on
- Anti-social behaviour inspection – 2012
- Review of police crime and incident reports – 2012
Data
Up-to-date crime, anti-social behaviour, cost and workforce data for this force can be found in our interactive Crime and Policing Comparator – see how The Metropolitan Police Service is performing, and how it compares with the rest of England and Wales.
The 2011 value for money profiles provide benchmarking information on:
- What The Metropolitan Police Service is spending its budgets on;
- Staffing levels by grade and function; and
- Outputs and outcomes in a comparable format.
These profiles are based on data provided by the police.