Met Chief: Double Armed Police On Streets

The Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said he wants to see double the number of armed officers on duty in the capital in the wake of the Paris attacks.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said he is looking to grow the number of armed police serving in London to around 4,000.

Currently only 2,000 of the 32,000-strong force are armed.

It comes as the police budget is expected to be cut in the spending review next week and Sir Bernard said he anticipated cutting the number of Met officers by 5,000.

:: May: More Police On Streets After Paris

Sir Bernard told LBC Radio: "What I've said is ... we're working on plans now so that in the short period of time, we've got an extra third on top of the core provision. The armed response vehicle element, we’re increasing by a third straight away.

"But then the overall pool I want to increase by a third overall and also at any one time, on duty, probably double."

There has been an increased police presence on the streets of the capital since the attacks in Paris on Friday night.

Home Secretary Theresa May has said the level of officers would increase if there was an imminent threat.

Armed police will patrol Wembley Stadium on Tuesday night for the first time for the England v France friendly, which will be attended by David Cameron and Prince William.