War on terror costs Met dear: the capital's regular police services are short of money.

Expensive anti-terrorism measures are draining the Metropolitan Police Service of its resources to combat other crimes in London, according to a senior police administrator.

Peter Martin, treasurer of the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA), told Financial Management that the Met's continuing campaign to prevent a major terrorist attack on mainland Britain could compromise general policing standards across the capital if more funding is not provided by central government.

A review conducted for the Met earlier in 2004 identified a shortfall in the service's national, international and capital city' funding of up to 45 million [pounds sterling]--approximately 10 per cent of its overall budget.

"It is our view at the MPA that the counter-terrorism requirements are the main reason for this shortfall," Martin said. "Resources which would otherwise be engaged in general policing duties are being applied for these purposes."

Although no evidence has emerged to show that the drain on resources is affecting current policing standards in London, Martin believes that more money must be made available. "It would be fair to say that this situation cannot be sustained indefinitely," he said.

The MPA has put its case to the Home Office, but has not yet been notified about whether more funds will be made available. A Home Office spokeswoman confirmed that the home secretary was considering the MPA's request and would take it into account when announcing the next police grant settlement.

See page 30 for the story of how one CIMA member, Keith Luck, has revolutionised the Metropolitan Police Service's finance function.