Scotland Yard faces financial shake-up

A review of the London force's financial services department said it is dysfunctional with too many staff and levels of management.

Internal documents revealed bosses are concerned about a "widespread silo work culture" and "limited delegated decision making".

Senior officials have proposed a wide-ranging shake-up to save 2m by slashing 46 posts and streamlining the back-office operation.

The move is part of a wider drive to cut spending as the Metropolitan Police faces a huge budget squeeze.

Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has said he is determined to maintain frontline services, leaving other functions to bear the brunt.

The force has already announced a raft of measures to address a yearly budget deficit of about 255m.

These have included axing all temporary staff, cutting the use of consultants and only making new appointments under "exceptional circumstances".

Documents on the future of the financial services department outlined how staff must be effective and provide value for money.

Peter Greig, director of business development, said some staff admitted the current organisation and culture was adversely affecting performance.

He recommended that layers of management are reduced and new applicants without professional accounting qualifications admitted. Ultimately the force may be able to provide services to others as part of a national drive to share resources.

Although 46 posts have been cut, only a handful of staff face redundancy.