GB News host Dawn Neesom recently voiced sharp criticism of the Metropolitan Police's approach to resource allocation, accusing the force of prioritising diversity initiatives over the core mission of tackling crime. Speaking on The People's Channel, Neesom underscored that residents in diverse areas, such as East London where she lives, simply want criminals caught regardless of the background of the officers handling the cases. Her remarks came amid revelations that the Metropolitan Police plans to spend around £5.2 million annually on employing 64 diversity staff, even as it faces a significant £250 million funding gap and moves to cut thousands of frontline officer positions.
Neesom pointed out that her neighbours, representing a wide range of ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations, do not concern themselves with the diversity credentials of police officers when reporting crimes; their priority is effective law enforcement. Former Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld echoed this sentiment, while acknowledging the necessity of maintaining a diverse police force. He noted the complexities within communities where some groups may mistrust investigators of their own ethnic background due to fears of prejudice.
Financial disclosures from the Metropolitan Police reveal that from April 2024 to February 2025, the force spent approximately £3.65 million on Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, covering salaries, overtime, and related expenses for a team of around 51 full-time police officers and staff dedicated to DEI work. This figure, however, is part of a broader national picture; an investigation into UK police forces found that collectively, over £10 million is being spent on DEI roles, an amount critics argue could fund the equivalent of hundreds of additional frontline officers. West Yorkshire and Thames Valley police stand out as the highest spenders, each exceeding the £1 million mark on these positions.
The high spending on diversity efforts has sparked debate. According to the London Evening Standard, Scotland Yard alone invested nearly £450 million in equality and diversity over three years, including recruitment, training, and outreach within minority communities. Despite these substantial investments, there was a 24% increase in race-discrimination claims against officers, raising questions about the effectiveness of such spending in creating tangible improvements for both staff and the public.
Compounding the tension between diversity commitments and budget pressures, Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley recently initiated a review into the funding of full-time union roles for black, Asian, disabled, and female officers. This review came in response to the force’s £260 million budget shortfall and the temporary halt to budget allocations for these positions. The decision has caused unease among minority officers, illustrating the challenge of balancing financial stewardship with diversity and inclusion goals.
Simultaneously, the Metropolitan Police is undergoing significant operational cuts — plans include axing 1,700 officers and staff and closing units such as the Royal Parks Police and school officers. The force is also set to reduce forensic and historical crime teams and shorten some police station front counter hours, moves that have drawn criticism from local councils and communities concerned about diminished public safety and engagement.
In sum, the debate sparked by Dawn Neesom’s comments highlights a broader controversy within policing circles about resource prioritisation. While a diverse workforce is widely acknowledged as vital for community trust and effective policing, the scale of spending on DEI amid frontline cuts has provoked public and political scrutiny. The Metropolitan Police seeks to navigate these competing demands amid mounting financial pressures and evolving societal expectations.
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Source: Noah Wire Services