There is a lot of misinformation being spouted about the mayor s budget. The truth is that Boris s budget for 2010/11 will deliver more police to front line services than are currently there by re-directing police officers from back office duties to front

There is a lot of misinformation being spouted about the mayor's budget. The truth is that Boris's budget for 2010/11 will deliver more police to front line services than are currently there by re-directing police officers from back office duties to frontline policing.

For example I should not have thought the public will think it right that 403 trained officers work in the Met's human resources department? Or that a further 75 work in the service's IT facility.

Londoners want their police officers to police their city and so does Boris. That's why 900 civilian staff are being recruited to cover these back office roles, thereby allowing 550 officers to be redirected to the front. The Met is also recruiting over 2,600 extra special constables who will be on duty by 2012. These are all facts. No 'ifs' no 'buts'. Just facts.

Kit Malthouse

London Assembly member for

Westminster, Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham