Met Police Chief Warns: Strikes Could Push Cops to Breaking Point
Sir Mark Rowley has sounded the alarm on police resources being stretched to breaking point. He revealed that only 22% of Met Police calls are crime-related, with more than half of officers’ shifts spent watching over mental health patients in hospitals or custody. Now, he fears that if other public services strike, the pressure on police will skyrocket.
Police Trapped Between Mental Health Crisis and Public Sector Strikes
Sir Mark said, “Police are already being sucked into health and social care. This will be exacerbated if other public services strike.” He stressed that officers can’t strike themselves and warned, “It’s difficult to imagine more work won’t overflow onto us unless we’re very robust.”
“Strikes in the public sector will hurt officers even more because they can’t strike, feel unfairly paid, and are the ones who stay on duty 24/7,” Sir Mark added.
Health and Civil Service Strikes Loom Large
- The Royal College of Nursing backed strike action by most NHS employers.
- Unison and GMB will reveal strike ballot results soon from ambulance crews, porters, and cleaners.
- Over 100,000 civil servants voted to strike over pay, pensions, and jobs, says PCS union.
- Strikes expected across 126 areas including driving examiners, border force, and Jobcentre staff.
Funding Crunch Threatens Met Police’s Ability to Cope
Sir Mark urged the government to “invest urgently in our frail foundations.” He revealed the Met needs a 27% budget increase just to maintain service levels compared to a decade ago.
While welcoming the government’s cash injection to hire more officers, he warned it’s partly funded by paying officers less in real terms and stripping out vital support services.
“Without proper funding, cops will be left to pick up the pieces as public services buckle under strike pressure,” he concluded.
