London police officer numbers could fall to below 27,000 by 2021, the Mayor of London has warned.

Sadiq Khan has called on the government to take action in providing a necessary increase in police funding to keep Londoners safe.

The warning comes as the new forecast suggests numbers could fall lower than previously estimated, to 26,900 even after taking into account the 1.99% increase in the council tax policing precept every year until 2021-22.

The figures have been released ahead of the mayor's 2018-19 budget.

The government controls 70% of police funding and Mr Khan wants urgent action to be taken to stop the decline in officer number and ensure the safety of Londoners.

"Nothing is more important to me than keeping Londoners safe, yet the scale of the police funding crisis at a time of increasing pressure on our police service is putting our capital at serious risk," said Mr Khan.

Police officer number could fall as low as 26,900 by 2021

Adding: "This year we have suffered four devastating terrorist attacks.

"The population is increasing and recorded crime is up across the country including London.

"Yet, if the cuts continue, our police officer numbers are expected to fall to a 19-year low of around 26,900.

The Mayor of London wants to ensure the safety of Londoners

"I am doing what I can to find additional funds to support and protect our policing frontline, and ensuring that the Met becomes more efficient.

"But 70% of the police budget is controlled by the government, and again I call on ministers to do the right thing and provide the funding we need to keep Londoners safe."

Metropolitan Police has had to make more than £600 million of savings in recent years, with a further £370 million in savings needed by 2021-22.

In November, Mr Khan announced the closure of 37 police front counters across the capital due to government cuts, saving a total of £8 million a year - equivalent to the cost of 140 police constables.

The Met Police has made more than £600 million of savings in recent years

An additional £25.3 million was also raised when the policing element of council tax was increased last year.

Earlier in the year the Mayor of London warned the number could fall dangerously to as low as 27,500 by 2021 if additional funding was not provided - the lowest number in 19 years.

This would equate to one officer per 326 Londoners, compared to one per 242 just seven years ago, and following the projections announced on Monday (December 11), the number of Londoners per one officer is only expected to rise further.

The mayor will review the overall position on the Met's budget following a government announcement on police funding later this month.

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