Met vetting failures allowed officers who should have been barred to remain, review finds

An internal Metropolitan Police review found vetting was weakened between 2013 and 2023, leaving thousands of officers and staff with missing or uncertain checks; the Home Office says more than 5,000 were recruited without the right checks and about 17,000 could not be confirmed. The home secretary has commissioned an inspection by HM chief inspector of constabulary.

An internal review by the Metropolitan Police reports that vetting checks for prospective and serving officers and staff were relaxed between 2013 and 2023. The force says that lowering those standards allowed some people who should not have joined or remained to keep police powers. The Home Office cited Met estimates that more than 5,000 officers and staff were recruited without the correct checks and that checks could not be confirmed for around 17,000. The home secretary has asked HM chief inspector of constabulary to inspect the Met's recruitment and vetting practices. Key findings: - The Met identified weakened vetting practices across 2013–2023 and reported defects in some re-vetting processes. - The force estimated more than 5,000 recruits were taken on without appropriate checks and about 17,000 cases could not be confirmed. - The review found 1,400 officers who should have been flagged remained in post and identified 131 officers linked to criminal or misconduct offences. - The home secretary has commissioned an inspection by HM chief inspector of constabulary, and the Met said five other forces also reported vetting errors. Summary: The review says recruitment pressures and targets contributed to relaxed safeguards and that these failings undermined public confidence in the Metropolitan Police. The home secretary has ordered an external inspection; beyond that, further steps are undetermined at this time.