Met Police: Force recruits highest ever number of officers - and women - in history

The Met Police currently has the highest number of officers in its history, while more than 30% of the force is now female for the first time ever.

London’s police force has recruited its highest ever number of women officers - 30.4% of all roles - as the force’s ranks reached their greatest numbers since the organisation began.

The Met achieved its highest ever level of gender equality at the end of September 2022, with 10,386 female officers at all levels across the capital.

And the force says it aims to ensure women are employed in 33% of all officer roles by 2024.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley welcomed the news, adding: “The evidence across the world is that the best companies and organisations benefit from diverse teams.

“We are working hard to replicate this success in attracting those from black and ethnic communities to the Met - so our workforce better reflects the communities we serve.”

The force said female representation has been increasing steadily over the last ten years, and is aiming for women to make up 50% of all new recruits.

Since April 2022, of a total of 1,678 officers recruited, 44.5% - 746 officers - were female.

Total workforce figures show there are 34,112 officers, of all genders, as of the end of September - the Met’s highest number ever.

Of these, 5,676, or 16.6%, are from black, Asian and multiple ethnic heritage communities and 1,215, or 3.6%, are black officers.

Sir Mark, who invited Londoners to attend recruitment events and to consider a career at the Met, added: “It is not only about fairness, it is about being most effective in a complex world.

“I am really pleased that we have achieved our highest ever female representation as part of the Met reaching its greatest ever total number of officers. The Met is committed to making progress on all of its recruitment ambitions.”

It came as the commissioner joined London mayor Sadiq Khan at an outreach event in Stratford on Friday (October 28).

Khan said: “This is an important achievement and I’m really pleased that we now have more women police officers than at any other time in London’s history.

“We know there is further to go to make the Met more representative and rebuild public trust and confidence in the police – particularly among women and girls and black communities.

“I have set challenging targets for the Met in this area and the news that nearly one in three police officers in London are women is a significant step forward.”

He added: “These officers will play a big role in helping to restore trust and confidence, improve the support for victims of crime, and build on the success in driving down violence and crime.

“The Met is currently recruiting and I encourage Londoners from all backgrounds - particularly those who are under-represented in the force - to apply.”

Women are offered increased maternity benefits, and support networks with advice on subjects such as baby loss, adoption, breast cancer and the menopause, the Met says, while new parents have access to a dedicated case manager, coaching workshops and a 24/7 support app.

And the force says disability and carers passports have also been introduced to improve workplace flexibility.