Overstretched Yard seeks relief by asking retired officers to return

SCOTLAND YARD has asked former detectives to return to work as it struggles to cope in the wake of terror attacks and the Grenfell Tower disaster.

The force has sent a letter to hundreds of retired detectives to help solve an apparent staffing crisis.

In the letter, Craig Mackey, the deputy commissioner, notes that recent incidents have required a “significant policing response” and that certain skills were in “high demand”.

He acknowledges that they are facing “challenging times” and that it is a “significant ask” of former employees who have long since left the force.

The force has also had to deal with an increase in knife crime, motorbike thefts and a spate of acid attacks.

Budget cuts have left it having to find savings of £400million in the next three years and it has struggled to maintain staff levels.

The letter, obtained by Sky News, is understood to have been sent to some 400 detective constables, either recently retired or on a career break.

It says officers are working extremely hard to support the victims and families of those affected by recent events. “The nature of the response is placing certain skills in high demand, particularly across the investigative, counter terrorism and firearms commands,” it adds. “If you have considered the scope for a time-limited return to the Met in any capacity – either as a police officer, civilian investigator or volunteer (either warranted or non-warranted) – we would, of course, be open to discussions with you.

“Whether this be for a limited time or for the longer term, your support would be greatly appreciated during these unprecedented times.”

Meanwhile, it has emerged that residents of Grenfell Tower were experiencing power surges in the weeks leading up to June’s deadly blaze. A fire expert said the surges could have caused the fire to start in a fridgefreezer on the fourth floor.

Joe Delaney, spokesman for the Grenfell Action Group, told the BBC: “There’s been lots of issues with the electrics, a litany of problems.”

In 2013, dozens of Grenfell Tower residents suffered electricity power surges so strong their appliances exploded, overheated and emitted smoke.

At the time, 25 successfully claimed compensation from the council.

But some have now revealed that the electricity problems persisted much more recently, suggesting they were never properly resolved.

Geoff Wilkinson, a fire expert, told the BBC: “Electricity spikes could have led to the fire in the first instance. If you’re getting appliances overheat as a result of that then that could be an initial ignition source but that itself would not have led to the spread. I think it clearly concerns anyone that if you hear that there are 20 appliances in one day, there is something that is clearly wrong.”