New Local Recruitment Rules For The Met

14 July 2014, 11:28 | Updated: 14 July 2014, 11:33

Anyone wanting to become a police officer in London will have to have been living in the capital for at least three of the last six years.

The move means that, for the first time in the history of Scotland Yard, new police constables will be hired exclusively from around the city.

Boris Johnson said the local recruitment will mean the goal of taking on 5,000 new officers in the next two years can be achieved more quickly.

"It is vital that London's police force reflects the city it serves," he said.

"Recent recruitment rounds have attracted a more diverse pool of applicants, but by focusing exclusively on Londoners from now on, we can achieve our goals more quickly.

The new policy, which comes into effect on August 1, will not affect serving officers or police staff, the Met said.

Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, said hiring local officers will ensure a good local knowledge and maintain the trust and confidence of residents.

"Recruiting constables with a knowledge and understanding of this reality through living in the capital makes sense to help us achieve this aim," he said.

"They will have a better understanding of local issues, knowledge of local communities and an inbuilt insight into London's varied cultures. We need great talent to help us fight crime."

Policing minister Damian Green, said: "The police need a workforce with a good understanding of the diverse communities they serve.

"Officers must be able to gain the trust and support of those communities to report crime and work with them.

"A workforce which is drawn from and reflects the communities it serves is an important element of fair and effective policing.

"I support the Met Commissioner and Mayor of London's determination to ensure that their workforce can understand and relate to communities in a modern, diverse and dynamic city like London."