Sir Mark Rowley sounds the alarm on chaos as public sector strikes loom
Police Stretched Thin on Health and Social Care
Sir Mark Rowley warns the Met Police are already being dragged into health and social care duties, and looming strikes across public services will only make things worse. He reveals only 22% of Met calls relate to actual crime. More than half of police shifts involve monitoring people with mental health issues in hospitals or custody.
Officers Trapped in the Middle as Strikes Hit
Rowley stresses that police cannot strike, yet they face rising pressure from other services walking out. “It’s difficult to imagine that more work won’t overflow in our direction unless we’re very robust,” he says. He also warns public sector strikes will hit officers hardest because they are banned from striking, feel underpaid, and must cover shifts 24/7.
“Public sector strikes would hurt officers even more because they are not allowed to strike, believe they are not fairly compensated and are the ones who will stay around 24/7.”
Strike Storm Brewing Across NHS and Civil Service
- The Royal College of Nursing says most NHS employers back strike action.
- Unison and other health unions will reveal strike ballot results for ambulance drivers, paramedics, porters and cleaners soon.
- Over 100,000 civil servants have voted to strike over pay, pensions, and jobs, says PCS union.
- PCS claims industrial action thresholds hit in 126 areas, including driving examiners, border force, and Jobcentre staff.
Call for Urgent Government Investment in Police
Sir Mark urges urgent government funding boosts, warning the Met needs a 27% budget hike just to keep pace with a decade ago. While he welcomes funding for more officers, he criticises pay cuts in real terms and ‘hollowing out’ of support services that leaves the force vulnerable.
