Met Police to Axe Dedicated Royal Parks Squad by 2025
Big changes are coming to London’s iconic green spaces. The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it will disband its dedicated Royal Parks policing team by April 2025. The move comes as the Met faces a massive £260 million budget shortfall.
Goodbye Dedicated Officers, Hello Safer Neighbourhood Teams
A formal letter from Commander Owain Richards, the Met’s lead for Royal Parks policing, revealed the shake-up. “It is with regret that we have taken the tough decision to no longer have a dedicated Royal Parks policing team,” the letter states.
This means famous parks like Hyde Park, Regent’s Park, Green Park, Kensington Gardens, Bushy Park, Richmond Park, and Greenwich Park will no longer have their own officers. Instead, local Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) will take over patrolling and policing duties.
Why the Cut?
The Met says it needs to slash the size of its workforce — including police officers and PCSOs — to plug the £260 million funding gap. It insists the restructure is a “difficult funding decision” but stresses it is working closely with the Royal Parks to keep public safety intact.
Commander Richards promises targeted resources will still be deployed in high-priority areas, with extra support during major events and peak times. But the loss of a dedicated force raises serious questions about park security.
Public Outcry and Fears Over Park Safety
Local campaigners and community groups are already sounding the alarm. They warn that without specialised officers, parks could become hotbeds for antisocial behaviour, theft, and assaults.
Given these parks host millions of visitors and key public gatherings every year, the cut signals a huge shift in how London’s green spaces will be policed going forward.
What Happens Now?
- All current Royal Parks officers will be reassigned to neighbourhood teams across London.
- The Met will continue monitoring policing demands in the parks.
- Resources will be adjusted based on need to keep visitors safe.
Londoners will be watching closely to see if local teams can fill the void left by the dedicated Royal Parks squad — or if this budget-driven shake-up leaves the capital’s treasured parks more vulnerable than ever.
