Metropolitan Police Service
London · Territorial force · 34,520 officers
Key Statistics
Officers
34,520
Staff
12,800
Area (sq miles)
620
Population served
9,100,000
About Metropolitan Police Service
The largest police force in the UK, responsible for law enforcement in Greater London excluding the City of London. Offers unmatched specialist opportunities but faces high demand and cost-of-living challenges.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) is the territorial force responsible for policing Greater London, providing a vital presence within one of the world's most dynamic cities. Covering a highly urban area, the MPS is unique as it addresses a diverse mix of environments, from densely populated boroughs to significant landmarks. With responsibilities that encompass the British government, diplomatic missions, and major transport networks, the MPS operates across intricate jurisdictions, including borders with other police forces. This complexity is heightened due to London’s status as a major international hub, featuring key transport corridors, like Heathrow Airport and the Eurostar terminals, which present distinct operational demands.
The MPS prides itself on several specialized units, notably the Counter Terrorism Command, Specialist Firearms Command, Dog Support Unit, and Cyber Crime Unit. These teams equip the MPS to tackle a broad spectrum of challenges, ranging from high-level security threats to sophisticated digital crimes.
Currently, the MPS is prioritizing several operational focuses, including enhancing community safety, tackling violent crime, and improving public confidence in policing. They aim to strengthen relationships with local communities to ensure a more effective and supportive policing environment. For potential applicants and transferring officers, the MPS offers unparalleled opportunities for professional development and specialization, all while facing the unique challenges that come with policing a global city.
Current priorities
- Enhancing community safety
- Tackling violent crime
- Improving public confidence in policing
- Strengthening local community relationships
Notable specialisms
Source: About the Metropolitan Police Service. Summary fetched 2026-07-05.
Public-data snapshot
Workforce
Officers
34,520
Staff
12,800
Total headcount
47,320
Source: Home Office Police Workforce Statistics as of 31 March 2025 · OGL v3
HMICFRS PEEL rating
requires improvement
Inspection cycle: 2023-2025
Source: HMICFRS PEEL assessments · Open Government Licence v3.0
In recent oversight reports
Metropolitan Police Service is named in 5 recent IOPC investigation outcomes or HMICFRS thematic reports.
Met officer cleared over David Carrick conduct investigation
2026-03-20 · IOPC
Charing Cross investigation update – gross misconduct findings for nine officers, further investigations into officers' behaviour under way
2026-02-14 · IOPC
Investigation under way after pedestrian dies in fatal collision involving Met officer
2026-01-15 · IOPC
IOPC releases findings of investigation into fatal Met police shooting in Dagenham
2025-11-28 · IOPC
Joint inspection of the investigation and prosecution of fatal road traffic incidents
2015-02-04 · HMICFRS
From data.police.uk
data.police.uk covers England, Wales & Northern Ireland; not Police Scotland.
Stop and search
Latest available month: 2026-08. 0 recorded stop-and-search records that month. Officer-defined ethnicity was recorded on 0% of records.
No stop-and-search records were published for Metropolitan Police Service for 2026-08.
Source: data.police.uk · Open Government Licence v3.0
Recorded crime by category
94,515 crimes recorded by Metropolitan Police Service in 2026-08 (latest published month), by category. Counted from the published street-level archive; England, Wales & Northern Ireland only.
| Crime type (2026-08) | Recorded |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 24,374 |
| Anti-social behaviour | 21,499 |
| Shoplifting | 9,336 |
| Other theft | 8,283 |
| Vehicle crime | 6,989 |
| Public order | 5,318 |
| Theft from the person | 4,665 |
| Drugs | 4,191 |
| Burglary | 3,916 |
| Robbery | 2,479 |
| Bicycle theft | 1,370 |
| Other crime | 1,181 |
| Possession of weapons | 674 |
| Criminal damage and arson | 240 |
| Total | 94,515 |
Source: data.police.uk street-level archive · Open Government Licence v3.0
Deaths during or following police contact
IOPC-recorded fatalities involving Metropolitan Police Service over 2004/05 to 2024/25 (2024/25 in brackets). These use the IOPC’s five categories, which have different definitions and are not additive. Figures count incidents the IOPC attributed to Metropolitan Police Service; see the national page for how multi-force incidents are handled.
London Weighting & Allowance
£3,150 + up to £6,588 / year
London Weighting is a fixed, pensionable addition to pay for Metropolitan and City of London officers; the London Allowance on top is set by the Commissioner and is not pensionable.
Recruitment
How to join Metropolitan Police Service
Application stages, entry routes, fitness and vetting requirements.