City Hall report highlights stress, resignations and spiralling costs linked to public order policing in London
Police officers tasked with policing protest marches in London should be given tailored mental health support, especially those who face intense public scrutiny via viral videos, a new City Hall report has urged.
The report, published by the London Assembly’s cross-party Police and Crime Committee, warns that increasing numbers of officers trained in public order policing are “handing in their tickets” – stepping back from the role – due to the emotional toll, relentless weekend demands, and the impact on personal and family life.
Concerns have grown in the wake of a marked increase in large-scale demonstrations since the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza. These protests have placed unprecedented pressure on the Metropolitan Police Service (Met), with the cost of their policing ballooning to over £53 million by early 2025.
According to the report, 414 arrests were made between October 2023 and December 2024 as part of Operation Brocks – the Met’s formal response to the protest marches related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The assembly heard from Met commander Louise Puddefoot, who described the psychological burden of officers becoming targets of “trial by social media.” She explained: “Officers who are doing their best in policing a very difficult, complex geopolitical situation are then finding themselves going viral on social media for saying the wrong thing. Sometimes it is edited and taken out of context, and that is a huge pressure for an officer who is not in public order policing day-to-day.”
A particularly high-profile incident in April 2024 involved antisemitism campaigner Gideon Falter, who was threatened with arrest as he attempted to cross a pro-Gaza march in Aldwych. Mr Falter, who was wearing a kippah, was told by an officer that his “openly Jewish” appearance might provoke a reaction from demonstrators. The episode drew heavy criticism and further stoked tensions between police and members of the public.
The City Hall report recommended that the Mayor of London and the Met Commissioner provide comprehensive mental health support for officers engaged in protest-related duties. It noted: “The high-profile nature of public order policing can greatly impact staff morale. Officers are frequently exposed to criticism, especially when clips of incidents are circulated widely online.”
The committee also pointed to a growing strain on police budgets and manpower. Thousands of officers have been “abstracted” from neighbourhood policing, disrupting routine operations such as investigations and crime prevention patrols. Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has expressed frustration that such resources could be more effectively used tackling mobile phone snatches, burglaries and violent crime.
While the Government announced a £65 million increase in the National and International Capital Cities (NICC) grant for the 2025/26 financial year – bringing it to £255 million – Mayor Sadiq Khan has argued this still falls short. He estimates that years of underfunding have left the Met with a £240 million deficit in its ability to police demonstrations.
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The committee’s report added that the strain on public order officers was not just physical, but emotional. With increasing numbers of trained officers opting out of such duties, the Met faces difficulties in maintaining adequate coverage for future protests, many of which are expected to continue in the months ahead.
Meanwhile, crime rates across London continue to rise. In the past year alone, theft offences have surged by nearly 12 per cent, with shoplifting up over 54 per cent and mobile phone theft reaching record highs.
The report concludes with a clear message: if the Met is to continue policing protests effectively and fairly, it must not only be properly funded but must also look after the mental wellbeing of its frontline officers who are under increasing and unprecedented scrutiny.
