Tag

Met Police

All articles tagged with #met police

uk2 days ago

Met Police faces mass Freemason disclosures under new policy

More than 316 Met Police officers and staff declared membership in Freemasonry or other hierarchical associations after the force mandated disclosure, triggering a High Court challenge from Freemason bodies. The judge noted the requirement takes immediate effect, but there’s no immediate disciplinary action planned while the case proceeds, and the Met will consider withdrawing the policy after representations. The policy followed a survey showing about two-thirds of respondents felt such membership could affect impartiality and public trust.

world23 days ago

Prince Andrew Surrenders Gun Licence Amidst Scandal

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor voluntarily surrendered his gun license following a visit from the Metropolitan Police, amid his upcoming move to Norfolk and ongoing scrutiny over his links to Jeffrey Epstein. The surrender means he can only use or transport his guns under supervision, and the move is part of his broader distancing from royal titles and public scrutiny.

world6 months ago

Met Police to Reduce Front Counters Amid Budget Cuts

The Metropolitan Police plans to close half of its front counters in London to save costs, reducing accessible face-to-face reporting points from 37 to 19, which breaks a previous pledge for 24/7 counters in each borough. The move is part of broader budget constraints and efforts to focus resources on crime fighting, despite concerns about accessibility and community trust.

crime-and-justice1 year ago

"Stolen Ferrari Recovered by U.K. Police After 28 Years"

The Metropolitan Police has recovered a rare Ferrari F512M, worth about £350,000, that was stolen from ex-Formula One driver Gerhard Berger in 1995 and shipped to Japan. The car, one of two stolen, was found after a "painstaking" investigation involving Ferrari and international car dealerships, with the other still missing. The vehicle had been missing for over 28 years before being tracked down in just four days, and no arrests have been made in connection with the theft.

politics2 years ago

Suella Braverman's Controversial Actions Spark Outrage and Astonishment

Home Secretary Suella Braverman cannot stop a potentially large pro-Palestinian march in London on Armistice Day because the law does not require the Met Police commissioner to consider ministerial views. The Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) has organized three national protests that have grown in size each week and have abided by negotiated conditions. While opponents claim the march includes antisemitic slogans and provides cover for extremists, the police can only ban an event if there is a serious risk of public disorder. Banning the march could lead to independent protests and counter-demonstrations, and the home secretary's involvement in operational policing has been criticized as improper political interference.

politics2 years ago

Sunak Demands Accountability for Allowing Pro-Palestinian March in London

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has criticized the timing of a pro-Palestinian march set to take place on Armistice Day in London, calling it "provocative and disrespectful." However, the Metropolitan Police chief, Sir Mark Rowley, has rejected calls to ban the demonstration, stating that it would be a "last resort." The organizers have resisted pressure to postpone the protest and have assured that they will stay away from the Cenotaph and Whitehall, with no intention of disrupting remembrance events. Sunak has vowed to hold the Met Police chief accountable for ensuring the safety of remembrance events while expressing his view that the marches are disrespectful. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer accused the prime minister of "picking a fight" with the police over the planned demonstration.

crime2 years ago

Former Met Police Officers Admit Guilt in Sending Racist WhatsApp Messages

Five former Metropolitan Police officers have pleaded guilty to sending racist messages on WhatsApp, including derogatory comments about the Duchess of Sussex and other members of the royal family. The messages were sent between September 2020 and 2022, and also referenced prominent politicians. The men, who retired between 2001 and 2015, were charged under the Communications Act 2003. Another former officer denied the charges and will stand trial in November. The officers will be sentenced on the same day.

politics2 years ago

Met Police Regret Coronation Arrests of Anti-Monarchy Protesters

The head of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, has defended the policing of the Coronation after six anti-monarchy protesters were arrested, detained for hours and then released without charge. Sir Mark said it was unfortunate those arrested could not protest, but he supported the officers' actions. He said there had been a "concerning" threat to the Coronation. People purporting to be stewards had white paint they wanted to throw to disrupt the procession, he said.

politics2 years ago

Coronation Protests Lead to Arrests and Police Regret

The Metropolitan Police has expressed "regret" over the arrests of six anti-monarchy protesters on Coronation day. Republic chief executive Graham Smith, who was among the group, said he has now received a personal apology from police officers. He said he did not accept the apology and would take legal action after no charges were brought against him. The Met also confirmed it had used a controversial new law to detain the group.

crime2 years ago

Met Police Shoot and Kill Two Dogs After Woman Mauled in London Attack

Met Police officers shot and killed two dogs and Tasered their owner after a woman was mauled in a dog attack in East London. Videos posted on social media show a group of police officers following a man with two barking dogs on short leads along a canal in Limehouse. The London police force defended its actions, explaining that the officers had "a duty to act where necessary before any further injury was caused".

law-enforcement2 years ago

"Addressing the Toxic Culture of London's Met Police Force"

A review of the Metropolitan Police by Baroness Casey has found that the force is "disconnected from Londoners" and has "cultures alive and well" of institutional prejudice, including sexism and homophobia. The report has led to calls for police reform, with politicians suggesting they want to see progress within two years. However, there is no blueprint for a reorganised system in England and Wales, and major reform feels some way off. The perilous state of British policing relies on trust, which has been eroded by the report's findings.

politics2 years ago

Stephen Lawrence's mother brands London's Met Police as rotten to the core.

The Casey Review has found evidence of continuing systemic racism in the UK's biggest police force, the Metropolitan Police, against both staff and the public. The report comes 24 years after the Macpherson Report, which exposed institutional racism in the Met after the racially-motivated killing of Stephen Lawrence. The Casey Review found black Londoners remained "over-policed and under-protected", and said those from an ethnic minority background were more likely to be stopped and searched, handcuffed, batoned and Tasered, creating a situation where trust and consent have been eroded. The report also found widespread evidence of homophobia and misogyny within the Met.