MPA Chair's statement on MPS financial resilience

40/05
3 August 2005

Responding to comments about MPS financial resilience Len Duvall, Chair of the MPA, said:

“The MPS is now facing one of its biggest challenges ever. We are in urgent discussions with government about the funding of current levels of counter-terrorist activity in London – maintaining policing levels to fight terror attacks is costing approximately £500,000 a day above normal policing costs. We will continue discussions with government and take stock at the appropriate time, probably in late September. This is a complex situation which has implications for other police services outside London and I am very confident that the government will recognise this.

“Additionally in the autumn we will begin to formulate the MPA/MPS budget for 2006/7 when priorities will be decided and, following 7/7, anti-terrorism capacity will be uppermost in our minds.

“The MPA receives funding from two sources – government grants and the GLA mayoral precept. In the past the GLA mayoral precept has been invested in the future of our police service. For example, the precept has provided up to 80% of the costs of investing in the Safer Neighbourhood schemes, which all our communities have told us is what they want, and has led to a drop in crime and the fear of crime.

“Over the past four years we have seen an increase in investment both from government and the mayor. We want to see that investment continue and not used to plug financial gaps brought about by the atrocities of 7/7.”

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