29 January 2011 Last updated at 11:12 ET

London's neighbourhood police numbers may be cut

The number of safer neighbourhood police in London may be reduced by almost half, the Metropolitan Police has said.

The Met said the "assumption" was the number of sergeants working on these teams would be cut from 630 to 330 by the end of 2013.

Supervision costs for safer neighbourhood teams may be reduced by £15m a year by 2014, the Met added.

London Assembly member Joanne McCartney said the cuts were a "real blow."

Community support

The Labour London Assembly member added: "Losing this many officers from the streets of London brings home the reality of the government's cuts."

A statement issued by the Met Police said the plans were still in the consultation phase which would continue until February 2011.

"It is the current intention to reduce the supervision cost in SNTs (Safer Neighbourhood Teams) by £15million a year by 2013/14 by reducing the number of sergeants by 300," the statement added.

"However this is a planning assumption and will be directed by final analysis and must reflect operational delivery."

Safer neighbourhood teams are currently made up of one sergeant, two constables and three police community support officers.