Royal Parks Police Funding Cut

January 2025

Our thanks to Sue Price, Chairman of Friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens, who has provided an update on park policing.

It has now been confirmed that funding for our Royal Parks Police is due to cease from April 1st.

A branch of the Met, the 81 members of the Royal Parks Police force, are the only body that can enforce park regulations, impose fines, and make arrests for offending behaviour. Their continued presence and ability to police parks is, therefore, of great importance to our area - both for ourselves as residents, and to visitors who are drawn to our green spaces.

The Friends of Hyde Park & Kensington Gardens are currently lobbying and working closely with the Royal Parks Directors. Sue Price has sent a letter, on behalf of all the Royal Parks Friends’ Group Chairs, to Sir Mark Rowley and Sir Sadiq Khan amongst others. The Group is now contacting MPs, Councillors and Assembly members, in addition to the Royal Parks contacting theirs. Approximately 80% of police funding comes from central government and 18% from the London Mayor.

To underline the crucial nature of continued funds to Park Policing, we encourage you to contact your local Councillors and MPs.

Please find the contact details for our MP below:

Joe Powell for Kensington & Baywater

joe.powellmp@parliament.uk