An MP has welcomed extra funding to help the Metropolitan Police fight crime in the capital.

The police funding settlement for 2019/20 gives an extra 46m in Government grant funding to protect the police budget in real terms, and a further £45.7m to help with increased pension costs.

A total of £81 million more will be available if the London Mayor opts to use a new power to add £2 a month to council tax to support policing.

That would mean the total increase in funding for the Metropolitan Police next year could be as much as £172m.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers said: “Many constituents have told me they are worried about crime, particularly burglary.

“This funding settlement should help address those concerns and will be the most generous since 2010.

“I have made the case to ministers that more funding needs to be available for policing in London and this has been not only heard but acted on.

“The police do a vital job in difficult and sometimes dangerous circumstances, and this funding will help them do that job more effectively.”