Met Police removed from special measures by watchdog after ‘good progress’

Scotland Yard was put under enhanced monitoring by the watchdog two-and-a-half years ago.

Metropolitan Police move — A New Scotland Yard sign outside the Curtis Green building on Victoria Embankment in London, as construction work continues on the new headquarters for the Metropolitan Police.

The Metropolitan Police has been removed from special measures after more than two years as “good progress” has been made, the watchdog said.

The force had been put into special measures following extensive criticism it faced after the death of Sarah Everard, who was abducted and murdered by serving Met police officer Wayne Couzens.

Scotland Yard was put under enhanced monitoring by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) in June 2022 after concerns about its performance, including issues of confidence and trust in the force.

After being under enhanced monitoring for more than two-and-a-half years, the force has now been removed to routine monitoring by the watchdog.

Matt Ratana memorial stone unveiled — Sir Mark Rowley said the progress the Met has made ‘would not have been possible without the unwavering passion, sense of duty, courage and hard work of our officers and staff’ (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said the whole force has worked to fix its “broken foundations” and make sure officers are “set up to deliver for London”.

He added: “The progress we have made over the last two-and-a-half years would not have been possible without the unwavering passion, sense of duty, courage and hard work of our officers and staff in the face of some incredibly challenging circumstances.

“Their achievement is all the more extraordinary in a budget constrained, shrinking Met which is facing increased demand.”

HMICFRS said the Met has made a number of improvements, including in how quickly calls are answered, in professional standards and in investigating missing children.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Today marks an important and welcome step in the Metropolitan Police’s improvement plan to increase standards and rebuild confidence. In London and across the country, communities rightly expect the highest standards from their local force.

“While the scale of the challenge is clear, and there have been many problems to deal with, the commitment and progress made by the Met commissioner, deputy commissioner, officers and staff across the capital in raising standards is extremely important, and reflects the hard work and dedication of all those involved.”

Yvette Cooper speech — Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said she will ‘continue to work closely with the Commissioner and the Mayor (PA)

Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said he welcomed the decision by HMICFRS, but said there is “still more to do”.

“Having asked the HMICFRS to look in particular at concerns around child sexual exploitation, it’s reassuring that the Met Police have made significant improvements in this area, including around missing children and victim blaming language,” Sir Sadiq said.

“There’s still more to do, and as mayor, I’ll continue to work with the commissioner to ensure we drive through the further improvements needed as we build a safer London for everyone.”