Sadiq Khan dropped a bombshell on why about 1,700 officers and staff are about to lose their jobs

London’s police force is in serious trouble, with nearly 1,700 officers and staff about to lose their jobs because there simply isn’t enough money to pay them. This comes at the worst possible time – when street crime in the city remains a big problem that affects everyone’s safety. 

The situation has become so desperate that senior officials are now begging the government to step in and fix things. Susan Hall, who oversees crime matters for London’s local government, has written directly to the Home Secretary saying the police cuts must be stopped. She’s furious that while politicians promised more officers during elections, the reality is the exact opposite is happening. 

At the heart of this mess is a giant £260 million hole in the police budget. Even though both the national government and London’s mayor gave extra money recently, it’s nowhere near enough. The police say they’ve been left with no choice but to make these painful cuts, which will mean fewer officers on the streets and longer response times when people call for help. 

Mayor Sadiq Khan points the finger at previous Conservative governments, saying they starved the police of funds for over a decade. He claims the real damage amounts to more than £1 billion when you account for rising costs over time. But critics argue Khan should have done more with the money he did control, rather than spending on other projects. 

Police leaders describe their officers as being stretched to breaking point. They’re having to do more work with fewer people, all while dealing with increasing demands from a growing city. The police commissioner admits this situation can’t continue forever without serious consequences for public safety. 

What makes this especially frustrating is that it comes after so many promises about improving policing. Both national and local politicians swore they’d put more officers on the streets. Now those same leaders are watching as the police force shrinks instead. 

For ordinary Londoners, this isn’t about political arguments – it’s about whether they feel safe walking home at night or letting their kids play outside. With fewer police around, many worry crime could get worse before it gets better. The big question now is whether the government will find the money to keep these officers in their jobs, or if London will have to make do with less protection when it needs it most.