Scotland Yard is accused of theft by poaching staff from other armed forces with £5,000 ‘sign-on bonuses’.

Scotland Yard have been accused of foul play for poaching large numbers of officers from neighboring forces with a £5,000 ‘sign-on bonus’.

A row has erupted between Britain’s largest police force and its regional partners as police officers try to meet recruitment targets but lack the financial clout to meet the pay packages and bonuses.

police u crime Hertfordshire Commissioner (PCC) David Lloyd said the Met lacked “decency” in having poached large numbers of officers from its force. And Festus Akinbusoye, the PCC for Bedfordshire, described the policy as “wrong” and “fundamentally bad for policing”.

Mr Lloyd said that instead of attracting new recruits to the police force, the ‘sign-on bonus’ is attracting officers from other forces, adding: ‘Not only can they offer London-weighted salaries, they have that lump sum on top. The whole basis of policing is that we help each other, but it doesn’t feel like they take that collaborative approach.

Scotland Yard has recruited 9,400 officers over the past three years, hitting a record 33,567 in March and aims to recruit a further 4,000 by next year

Scotland Yard said it was a significant net loser on transferees and its net position was down 300

Scotland Yard has recruited 9,400 officers over the past three years, reaching 33,567 in March – a record. The force plans to recruit another 4,000 by next year. As well as the one-off payment, the starting salary has been increased to £31,686 including allowances.

The Home Office said the policy was an operational decision for each police unit and could not comment.

Scotland Yard said it is a significant net loser in transferees and if you factor in the officers who have been substituted on and off since 2019 its net position is down 300.