Bromley's share of £22m given to the Metropolitan Police to cover the extra costs of securing London against terrorism has already been spent.

Chancellor Gordon Brown announced £22m funding to the Met, to cover the extra costs of policing London between September 11, 2001, and March 31 2002.

But Bromley's share of the money was spent before it even saw a penny.

Borough commander Chief Superintendent Gerry Howlett said: "The money will not benefit any borough in the future because we have already spent it.

"Due to the events of September 11, we've had to provide a lot of extra security and use money we haven't had."

Chief Supt Howlett said overtime had to be paid to officers sent to central London who were working 12 to 14 hours and also to those working overtime to fill posts in Bromley.

Scotland Yard recorded a 131 per cent increase in street crime in the borough during October compared to the same period last year.

Two weeks ago, the News Shopper revealed the jump, from 36 to 83 offences, is thought to be one of the highest on record.

The Metropolitan Police Authority discussed proposals for a new Resource Allocation Formula (RAF) for allocating police officers in the capital.

The number of Bromley police officers is currently around 428 which is 30 officers, or 6.5 per cent, below the borough's target of 458.

Chief Supt Howlett said: "Early indications from RAF discussions are that we will have 444 officers but this is not a definite figure."

December 5, 2001 11:00