Over 5,000 UK police officers were improperly vetted, with 131 later committing serious crimes, prompting national inspection.

A review has found that over 5,000 Metropolitan Police officers and staff were not properly vetted between 2013 and 2023, including 131 who later committed serious crimes such as rape, violence, and racism. The lapses, driven by pressure to meet national recruitment targets, involved skipping reference checks, bypassing critical background screenings, and overturning vetting refusals. The Home Secretary has ordered a national inspection into police vetting practices, citing a failure to protect public safety. The Met has dismissed around 1,500 officers since 2022, and officials estimate up to 1,200 individuals may not have been hired under normal procedures.