New Year’s Eve police numbers down despite terror attacks
FEWER police officers will be on patrol for London’s New Year’s Eve celebrations despite four terrorist attacks in the capital in 2017.
But Supt Nick Aldworth insists the Metropolitan Police will have the correct numbers of police and specialist officers “based on the threat”.
Scotland Yard intends to deploy a record number of armed officers in the city in response to the way Isil-inspired terrorists have attempted so-called “spectaculars”. Although the force does not reveal numbers, it is believed more than 3,000 armed officers will be either visible or in covert roles on the city’s streets and Underground network for tomorrow’s events.
Explaining how the force conducted its assessment following this year’s series of attacks, Supt Aldworth said: “We are providing a proportionate number of officers based on the threat, number of people coming and the secure environment we’ve been able to build.
“We have fewer officers policing here but they represent the appropriate number of resources that we need.”
He stressed there was no specific threat and people should be “certain in the knowledge” that the operation was led by an experienced team and that London would be “a safe environment”.
However, the fact that people will see fewer police on the streets highlights how numbers in Britain have fallen.
Shortly after becoming the Met’s new commissioner, Cressida Dick admitted the force was “stretched” as it faced increased threats from terrorists, violent criminals and cyber fraudsters.
Ken Marsh, chairman of the Metropolitan Police Federation, who has seen the number of London officers he represents fall from 32,000 to 30,000, warned that finances could see numbers cut to below 28,000 officers.
About half a million people are expected to descend upon London, with some 100,000 attending a fireworks display on the banks of the Thames
and concrete barriers will be installed around the city’s attractions. Revellers are being urged to be patient while bag searches are conducted.
The number of police in England and Wales has fallen from a peak of 144,353 in 2009 to 122,859 last year. However, the numbers of armed police, particularly in London, has increased following the surge in terrorism at home and in Europe.
Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said last night: “Everyone deserves to be able to enjoy New Year’s Eve in safety. But it must be clear by now that Government cuts have left the police over-stretched.”
This year saw two major attacks in central London. And a suicide bomber killed and injured scores of people at Manchester Arena; many victims were children.
Meanwhile, yesterday two men appeared in court, after Christmas counter-terrorism raids, over an alleged plot to build a remote-control car bomb.
Andy Star, 31, owner of the Mermaid fish and chip shop in Chesterfield, and Farhad Salah, 22, from Sheffield, were arrested in early morning raids in South Yorkshire.
The two men, both of Iraqi origin, spoke only to confirm their names, ages and addresses. Thomas Halpin, prosecuting, said: “Both are jointly charged with a single offence of preparation to commit acts of terrorism under Section Five of the Terrorism Act 2006.” He added: “This is a case in which the Crown say both defendants were researching, developing and manufacturing chemicals to make explosive substances so they could be used in an improvised explosive device with a view to committing acts in the UK.”
Deputy Senior District judge Tan- weer Ikram said: “I am sending each of you to the Central Criminal Court, and your next hearing date there will be on Jan 19.” Star and Salah were remanded in custody. The raids were carried out by Counter Terrorism Policing North East and supported by police officers in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.
This year a total of 36 people have been killed in four terrorist attacks in Britain, but counter terrorism police and MI5 say they have also foiled many potential attacks.
In March Khalid Masood killed five people after driving at pedestrians on Westminster Bridge and then stabbing a police officer at the gates of Parliament.
Salman Abedi killed 22 people in May when he blew himself up at Manchester Arena after a pop concert.
Three attackers killed eight people in a van and knife rampage on London Bridge and in Borough Market in June.
MI5 said earlier this year that counter terrorism officers were involved in more than 500 operations and were watching 3,000 “subjects of interest”.
Yesterday, Dominic Raab, the justice minister, announced the Government would spend £50 million more on counter-terrorism and would increase the number of armed police by at least 1,000.