700 investigations launched after calls to Met Police anti-corruption line

The Metropolitan Police have launched more than 700 investigations after nearly 3,000 contacts were made to an anti-corruption hotline in its first 18 months of operation.

The figures for the country’s largest force were revealed on Thursday as the police anti-corruption and abuse reporting service was rolled out nationally.

A litany of scandals, including the murder of Sarah Everard by Wayne Couzens, and David Carrick being revealed to be a serial rapist, led the Met to be the first force to begin using the service in November 2022.

The service consists of a website and hotline to enable the public to report police behaviour that concerns them.

It will now be available for reports about forces across the UK, either online or by calling 0800 085 0000, and will be run by Crimestoppers, the independent charity which will allow anonymous tip-offs.

Potential crimes such as officers, staff or volunteers who may be taking bribes, abusing their positions and mistreating their partners can be reported.

Instances of suspected racism, homophobia, misogyny or discrimination against people who are disabled, may also be highlighted.

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The details will be passed on to the relevant force and may lead to an investigation.

Since November 2022, the service has received 1,988 calls and 890 online reports regarding the Met, with 867 pieces of intelligence passed onto the force.

This has led to 728 investigations, and the remaining 139 reports were passed to other relevant police forces.

With both Couzens and Carrick, multiple chances were missed to spot and stop their behaviour, which has depleted the public’s confidence the police can root out wrongdoing in their ranks.

Last month, an independent review found a series of red flags were missed about debt-ridden, serial sex-offender Couzens.

A number of other scandals also damaged the Met’s reputation, including two officers being jailed for sharing pictures of the bodies of two murdered sisters, and deeply offensive and disturbing messages shared among officers in WhatsApp groups.

Last year, Met Police commissioner Mark Rowley said two to three criminal cases against officers would be expected to go to court every week for several months.

Chief Constable Gavin Stephens, chairman of the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), said: “This reporting service will enable us to take action by giving the public a new, anonymous and confidential route to report corruption, criminality, or abusive behaviour within policing.”

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