Concerns rise as funding cuts to Royal Parks Police may embolden armed gangs targeting London parks.
The Met Police still needs £260 million for 2025/26, even after funding boosts. They haven’t detailed where money will be cut to cover this. Liberals said cutting Royal Parks unit is Khan’s choice. Khan said it’s an operations matter and stated the police commissioner decides.
He blamed past government cuts for the Met’s money trouble. Liberals were part of that government for five years. A politician told Khan about park crime, noting that armed gangs are active, especially with no officers present.
He questioned if cutting park police will make parks unsafe. Khan blamed earlier cuts from 2010-2015. The politician asked if Khan will be known for axing park police.
Khan replied they deal with 14 years of funding cuts. The government now gives more money, about £280 million. This new funding isn’t enough, as it can’t fix a £1.1 billion shortfall that was started by past cuts.
Khan said he doesn’t control police operations. He believes the commissioner knows how to spend money wisely. Khan hears the concerns about Royal Parks Police and passed those concerns to the commissioner.
The commissioner has a tough job with these inherited funding issues. The Met faced big cuts last year potentially impacting officers. Later, analysis showed fewer officers might be cut, thanks to money in the mayor’s budget.
More money came from the mayor and government. The cuts could have impacted one thousand three hundred officers. The funding gap remains at £260 million, and the effect on officer numbers is unclear.
They asked the Met about officer cuts and park police. The Met wouldn’t answer directly. A Met person said they face money problems and are planning for hard choices to manage money. They work with others to prepare for these changes.