Ex riot cop says investigations are put on hold as officers are busy dealing with weekly protests

A FORMER riot-trained police officer says investigations are being put on hold — as colleagues are called to deal with protests nearly every week.

They said day-to-day crime work was “being dealt with by a handful of officers”.

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Writing on mumsnet, they said: “You have no idea of how few there really are.

“To wear riot gear, officers must be what we call at least Level 2 public order trained.

"It’s actually a voluntary skill.

“I did it when I was younger in service but it’s an absolutely thankless task.

“There’s nowhere near enough of you, practically every weekend off gets cancelled to go to a football match or a protest.

"And 90 per cent of those officers are the same ones that answer your 999 calls and deal with your crimes.”

Meanwhile, Met cops have claimed the force is so stretched for riot officers that it has been sending beat bobbies on two days of training — so it can fill gaps left by those sent to help elsewhere.