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Where do Met Police officers live?

Author

Emily Carr

Published Feb 18, 2026

Where do Met Police officers live?

It shows that almost half of them – 49 per cent – live outside London. In 2013, the Met recognised that the number of officers based outside London was something they needed to change but the lack of progress since then concerns me.

Just so, does the Metropolitan Police get housing?

You may qualify for a rent or housing allowance depending on your current terms and conditions.

Also, can I join the Met police if I don't live in London? We ordinarily have a residency criteria that means our Police Constables need to have lived in London for a minimum of three years, within the last six. We are temporarily extending the opportunity to join the Met and 'Do Something Real' to non-Londoners, as part of our drive to recruit more than 2,500 officers.

Keeping this in view, do the Met police still have Section houses?

There are over one hundred section houses situated in various parts of the Metropolitan Police District; most of them are very small because they were built mainly in the Victorian era, as the noble Lord opposite pointed out, when the principle of "living over the shop" prevailed.

Can a police officer work where they live UK?

You can work with a regional police force (e.g. for the area you live in) or for forces which don't depend on location, including: British Transport Police. Civil Nuclear Constabulary.

Do Met police Live in London?

It shows that almost half of them – 49 per cent – live outside London. In 2013, the Met recognised that the number of officers based outside London was something they needed to change but the lack of progress since then concerns me.

What is met police salary?

The average Metropolitan Police Service salary ranges from approximately £33,800 per year for a PCSO to £83,000 per year for a Superintendent. Metropolitan Police Service employees rate the overall compensation and benefits package 3.2/5 stars.

Do police officers get free housing UK?

Currently there are still thousands of Police Officers in the UK who receive approximately £220 a month extra for Housing Allowance. Any officers who joined later do not receive ANY housing allowance.

Do police still get rent allowance?

All MPS officers currently receive London Weighting and London Allowance on top of national police pay scales. Officers who join the MPS who are not entitled to rent or housing allowance do however qualify for an additional (non-pensionable) London Allowance of £3,327 per annum.

What is a police section house in England?

section-house (plural section-houses) Accommodationsprovided by a public service or company for its employees. Accommodation provided for police personnel by the government department or organisation responsible for the police service.

Where does London weighting apply?

London weighting is an allowance paid to certain civil servants, teachers, airline employees, PhD students, police and security officers in and around London, the capital of the United Kingdom.

What is a police accommodation called?

A police station (sometimes called a "station house") is a building which serves to accommodate police officers and other members of staff.

How does the British police system work?

Police services in the UK are organised around two legal entities: the 'Office of Constable' and the police force. The Office of Constable grants them powers to detect, prevent and investigate crime. Every police officer is a member of a police force. The police force organises and coordinates their crime fighting.

Is Tooting police station a listed building?

The former Tooting Police Station on Mitcham Road has been awarded statutory Grade II Listing. Historic England awarded the iconic building Grade II status after local organisation 'Tooting History Group' submitted an application. The building has been listed for its 'architectural interest' and 'historic interest'.

What's the age limit for joining the police?

You must be 18 or over when you apply to be a new Police Constable. The upper age limit is 57. This is three years less than the compulsory retirement age of 60 and allows for the two year probationary period and the expectation of a minimum of one year of service following probation.

Can I join the police at 50?

While police departments can set a maximum age limit, most do not. Fitness standards for someone applying in their 40s or 50s are often lower than for a 20-something applicant. However, you'll still have to meet educational requirements and pass a background check.

Can I join the police at 50 UK?

Any UK citizen, Commonwealth citizen with an unrestricted right of residence in the UK , or Republic of Ireland citizen, between the ages of 18 and 50 can join, and police recruitment policies stress that maturity and life experience is an advantage.

Can you have tattoos in the Met police?

Now, you are allowed to work for the Met if you have tattoos on your hands, on the back of your neck, below your collar line, on your ears or behind your ears. "Decisions regarding appropriateness of tattoos are made at the sole discretion of the Met," the website adds.

Can you be a policeman with tattoos?

Any tattoos which appear to be discriminatory, offensive or provocative will not be accepted. Facial piercings are not permitted because they are considered to undermine the dignity and authority of a police officer. There are also implications for an officer's safety.

How much are UK police paid?

The starting salary for police constables in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is between £20,880 and £24,177, rising to £40,128 at the top of the scale - achievable after about seven years. In Scotland starting salaries are slightly higher at £26,037, rising to £40,878 after about ten years' service.

How long is police basic training UK?

The application process typically involves an application form, online tests, an interview and assessment centre. You'll also have to demonstrate your fitness and pass a medical test. Successful applicants will then undergo a training programme lasting between three weeks and three months.

How long is met training?

Training and equipment

Delivery of the course is offered in three forms, which recruits choose according to their convenience, as an intensive course taken over four weeks, a weekend course taking place over 12 weeks with 8 weeks of both Saturday and Sunday and 4 weeks with either Saturday or Sunday.

Can you join the police at 17?

You can now apply to join the police service at age 17, though you'll need to wait until you're 18 before you can officially become a police officer. Check out the other basic eligibility criteria you need to meet.

Is it hard to become a police officer UK?

But being a police officer isn't for everyone – it's one of the most challenging careers you can choose, being physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. You should consider whether you can: Develop new skills as data and technology become ever more important to policing.

Do I need a degree to be a police officer UK?

Police officer education and qualifications. The College of Policing really wants to emphasise that you do not need a degree to become a police officer. However, under the new Policing Education Qualifications Framework (PEQF), you will have to gain a degree if you join through the new Degree Apprenticeship Programme.

How many days a week do police work?

Many rosters will use ten hour shifts meaning you only work 4 out of 7 days in the week, effectively giving you a whole extra day free each week.

Do you have to work nights as a police officer?

Majority of law enforcement officers are slotted out to work a forty hour work week. These hours can, and usually do include working nights, holidays and weekends. Because of the vital nature of police officer duties, shift work, unsocial hours and emergency call-outs are part of the job.

Do you need work experience to join the police?

Yes, as long as you have work experience that can demonstrate transferable skills relevant to the role of a Police Constable. Suitability of your professional experience will be jointly assessed by the City of London Police and Coventry University.

What age can you join the police UK?

Age restrictions

Candidates must be at least 16 years old, except where the role involves shift work, where the minimum age will be 18.