The Metropolitan Police Service today outlined initial plans for making savings to cope with an estimated £100 million cut in grant funding next year.

Met Deputy Commissioner Tim Godwin told the London Assembly’s Budget and Performance Committee the service wants to maintain operational capacity, so is initially focusing on cutting costs through support functions, information technology, buildings and its fleet, rather than front-line services.

The Committee also discussed projections showing that by March 2011 there will be 1181 fewer officers compared to March 2010, due to a recruitment freeze and officers leaving the service.

However, Kit Malthouse, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said this was “a hypothetical number” which could still change. Mr Godwin added that the Met would be looking to protect the front-line through measures designed to improve police productivity and by removing officers from areas such as training and Human Resources.

Chair of the Budget and Performance Committee, John Biggs AM, said: “We know that Londoners care a great deal about policing as they consistently tell us it is one of their biggest priorities.

“It is always a delicate balancing act between making budget savings and preserving front-line services and there are difficult decisions to be made. When we meet with the Mayor next week, we will press him on his priorities for policing and how budget cuts across the GLA group could affect key services for Londoners.”

During today’s meeting, the Committee also questioned Transport for London, London fire services, the London Development Agency, the Greater London Authority and the Mayor’s Chief of Staff about their budget plans. On Tuesday 11 January, the Committee will question the Mayor about his draft budget for 2011/12