Senior managers could be axed and Havering Police units joined with other boroughs’

The position of borough commander in Havering could be axed under a police review of resources.

Under new efficiency plans, London boroughs will also see more resources pooled between boroughs under so-called ‘Basic Command Units’ (BCUs).

They will be led by a single chief superintendent who will cover the joined-up boundaries in place of a borough commander.

At a meeting last week, Havering councillors were given outline details of the proposals, which are due to go to the Metropolitan Police’s management board in December, before becoming finalised next year.

Specific plans for each borough are yet to be announced.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said that the benefits of the new plan would be less management costs with ‘more resilient leadership teams’ and improved consistency across the capital.

He added: “It will be proposed that senior management and some more specialised services, such as custody, are shared across a number if boroughs.

“The shape and size of BCUs will vary across London.”

“Local response and neighbourhood policing will continue to take place at borough level, while intelligence provision, resource management and performance will be shared across the new BCU.

“No decisions have yet been taken as to the composition of future areas and boroughs.

“We do believe, however, that this change is essential to our wider plans for developing a more affordable Met, and we’ll continue to develop and test the concept.”