Police travel 'must be kept free'

Union leaders say ending the scheme will lead to more attacks

Union leaders have pledged to support free travel for police officers in London amid fears that rising costs could force the scheme to be shut down.

The Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) said free travel helped tackle assaults against workers and passengers.

The cost of the scheme has risen to £24m a year and the Metropolitan Police is believed to be facing pressure from ministers over the perk.

But the RMT said ending the scheme would lead to more attacks.

'Reviewing arrangements'

"Every Met officer who used free travel on buses, Tubes and trains intervenes on average three times a year to stop or prevent trouble," said the union's leader Bob Crow.

"It is clear that ending the scheme would result in more transport workers and members of the public being attacked."

The Met confirmed that its contract for the scheme with the Association of Train Operating Companies will cost £16m for the current year while the Metropolitan Police Authority will pay around £8m.

"We've had this agreement in place with the Association of Train Operating Companies since 2003," said a Met Police spokesman.

"It is due to expire on 31 March 2009 and so we're in the process of reviewing arrangements for further years."