Met Police to cut officers at Trooping the Colour and hand ceremonies to private security

The Metropolitan Police is to withdraw most of the officers it provides for Trooping the Colour and other military ceremonies in London, handing much of the job to a private security company. The change is due to take effect next month.

What is changing

The Met says it will provide only “minimal” protection for the King’s birthday parade and for regular events such as gun salutes and the Changing of the Guard. Most of the work will move to a private contractor. The force says it will still support the military at “nationally significant events”, based on threat and risk assessments.

Why the Met is doing it

The force points to budget cuts and rising demand for officers on the front line. It says frontline policing is its priority and that it discussed the changes with the Ministry of Defence. The MoD said it continues to work with the Met and values its support.

The reaction

Former head of the Army Lord Dannatt said he was surprised, arguing that internal security is the Met’s responsibility and questioning whether it should be outsourced to save money. An Army source said a private firm could not offer the same assurance on the safety of soldiers and the public.

Liberal Democrat MP Mike Martin called the decision “outrageous”, pointing to recent concerns about sabotage and surveillance around defence sites and public events.

Sources: The Telegraph via Yahoo News.

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