Special measures exit by Met Police welcomed by Mayor

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January 24, 2025
2 min read

Special measures exit by Met Police welcomed by Mayor

The Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, has welcomed the announcement that the Metropolitan Police has successfully exited Special Measures, following significant improvements in performance and culture. His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) recognised the strides made by the force, crediting the hard work of the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and all Met officers and staff in restoring public confidence.

Khan praised the improvements, highlighting that emergency calls are now being answered more quickly, vetting procedures have been strengthened, and neighbourhood policing has been revitalised. “This progress is a result of record investment and support from City Hall, and I am pleased that the Met Police have made notable strides, particularly in tackling child sexual exploitation,” he said. The Mayor also emphasised that further work is needed to continue enhancing policing across the capital.

The Met’s improvements come after a comprehensive review of the force, including concerns about child sexual exploitation. The review prompted a series of reforms, with the force making significant changes to its response to missing children and addressing victim-blaming language. The Met also focused on expanding training for officers to recognise and address child exploitation, with 8,000 officers now trained as part of the “New Met for London” initiative.

Since taking office, the mayor says he has been committed to driving wide-reaching reforms within the Met. This has included the appointment of new leadership, increased funding, and the establishment of the London Policing Board, which meets regularly to oversee reforms. Khan’s record investment includes £151 million this financial year to bolster policing, alongside funding for a Leadership Academy to improve standards within the force.

Ongoing efforts are part of his broader approach to building a safer London, where crime has fallen significantly. Knife crime with injury among under-25s has dropped by 24%, and gun crime has decreased by 40%, among other reductions in crime.

Khan reiterated that while progress has been made, including exiting special measures, he remains committed to furthering the reforms needed to build a safer and more trusted police service for all Londoners.

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