The demise of the 'bobbies on the beat'

Scotland Yard's former headquarters in London. Credit: PA

Today the iconic Scotland Yard headquarters was sold off to Dubai investors for £370 million help meet the costs of policing in London.

But Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe says more is still needed to plug a £1.4 billion black hole in the police budget.

He also warned cuts would lead to further frontline losses telling ITV News: "There's no doubt that over the next few years it will be hard to maintain that 32,000.

"For the next two to three we should be alright, but after that it gets difficult if the predictions are right about us losing a third of the budget."

ITV's Deputy Political Editor Chris Ship has this report: