Met signs up foreign nationals

The idea of employing officers from abroad was first suggested by Met commissioner Sir John Stevens last year, but could not take place until the Police Reform Bill became law.

Now people from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway or Portugal who live in London can apply.

Previously only UK and Commonwealth citizens could join.

Candidates must be able to prove that they are competent in written and spoken English and pass current assessment tests.

Chief Superintendent Bob Carr said: "This will mean that the Metropolitan Police can now take one step closer to being truly representative of all the people that it serves.

Recruitment crisis

"I hope that many members of London's diverse communities, who were previously unable to join, now take the opportunity and apply to become police officers within the Met."

The force, which is the largest in the country, is facing a recruitment crisis.

It has been told to make sure 25% of its workforce comes from ethnic minorities and also has to contend with high house prices and a high cost of living in London.

In February Sir John said major stations should include crèches to boost the number of female recruits.

And last November the Met went to Birmingham, Manchester and Leicester to attract more black and Asian officers.

The new rules will include special constables as well as regular officers.

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