Yard criticised for saying recruits must live in London

NEW rules requiring applicants for the Metropolitan Police to live in London, will damage recruitment targets rather than improving them, senior officers have been warned.

The residency criteria, which was dropped in 2018, has been reintroduced to help Scotland Yard achieve its target of recruiting 40 per cent from black and minority ethnic groups by 2022.

It is hoped that by requiring applicants to live in London, future officers will be more representative of the communities they serve.

But Ken Marsh, the chairman of Metropolitan Police Federation said the residency rule would penalise anyone seeking to get on the property ladder and would make it difficult for working class applicants from all communities to join the police. He said: “It did not work the first time so the chance of working this time is zero. We are trying to recruit more black officers, what does it matter whether they live in London or not?

“It is not rocket science, whether you are white or black you wouldn’t be able to afford to be a police officer and live in London. It could have a detrimental effect in terms of what they’re trying to

‘We are trying to recruit more black officers, what does it matter whether they live in London or not?’

achieve … If you are a young person who wants to join the police and wants to get on the property ladder you will go and join a force outside London.”

A Met spokesman said: “Introducing this criteria will help ensure that PCS join with a knowledge of London so that they can readily and effectively relate to and connect with the people they serve.”