No decision on fate of Met's PCSOs until end of year

London has just over 1,000 Police Community Support Officers

London's Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) will have to wait until December to find out if they will be cut.

The Metropolitan Police has proposed axing some or all of the 1,000 remaining PCSOs to save money.

But a spokesman said no decision would be made until after the government's November spending review.

The Met's management board was due to discuss the proposals on Tuesday, but the BBC has learned it did not happen.

'Grave risk'

In September London mayor Boris Johnson said he had not been aware of any plans to scrap PCSOs.

Labour's London Assembly policing spokeswoman Joanne McCartney said she welcomed the "stay of execution".

She said: "I welcome that the Met is taking the time to listen to the vast public opposition to the proposed cuts to all PCSOs in London.

"Despite this stay of execution for PCSOs it's clear the future of local policing in the capital remains at grave risk. We cannot be complacent and will be spending the next two months making the case for neighbourhood policing in the capital."

The Met is planning savings of at least £800m by 2019.

In March, Met Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said "hard choices" had to be made about whether the number of PCSOs - which has already dropped from 5,000 to 1,800 - could be maintained.

Police community support officers

•PCSOs do not have the power of arrest, but can require a suspect to stay with them until an officer arrives

•They can direct traffic and confiscate alcohol

•They wear protective vests but do not carry handcuffs or a baton