London Met Police spent nearly £5 million on premium flights
The results of a Freedom of Information request by the TaxPayers’ Alliance has revealed shocking levels of spending on premium flights by the Met police.
- Between 2015 and 2018, the London Metropolitan Police force spent £8,577,748 on flights.
- The Metropolitan Police undertook 13,763 flights over three years. This is equivalent to 13.7 flights a day.
- Half of the spending was in premium cabins. This amounted to £4,838,689.
- £407,952 was spent on 114 first class flights.
Commenting on the findings of this investigation, John O’Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said:
“Taxpayers are tired of hearing police forces say they have no money left when we hear stories of wasteful spending on this scale. It is completely unacceptable that we are taxed to pay for police staff to fly in luxury that few of us could ever enjoy. Of course we appreciate the dangerous work the police do, but this abuse of our cash has to end immediately.”