THE number of sergeants in police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) in London could be almost halved, it has been revealed.
The Metropolitan Police says it is looking at proposals which would see the numbers assigned to the units reduced from 630 to 330 by the end of 2013.
It comes after Waltham Forest Police said it was considering a number of shake-ups in the borough including merging teams to save money.
The proposals, which would save the Met around £15 million a year, are being put forward as the force draws up its new budget.
It faces a cut in funding of up to £100 million during the 2011/12 financial year.
However a review into the future of SNTs is still on-going and will not be completed until next month.
But Metropolitan Police Authority member and Labour London Assembly representative Joanne McCartney said: "This is real blow to neighbourhood policing - the jewel in the Met's crown in recent years."
SNTs are currently made up of one sergeant, two constables and three Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).
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