Met Police to close half its front desks following budget cuts

The Metropolitan Police has announced plans to close half of its front desks across London due to budget cuts. The number of police front desks will be reduced from 37 to 19, and the number of desks open 24/7 will also be decreased. The decision to reduce the number of front desks is part of the Met's efforts to adapt to the financial constraints it is facing. The police force has been struggling with budget cuts in recent years, which have led to a reduction in the number of officers and resources available. The closure of the front desks is expected to save the Met around £10 million per year. However, the move has been criticized by some who argue that it will make it more difficult for the public to access police services and report crimes. The Met has stated that it will ensure that the remaining front desks are located in areas with the highest demand for police services, and that the public will still be able to access police services through other means, such as online reporting and telephone.