GETTY Police force spend £5 million on first and business class flights

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A Freedom of Information request revealed the extraordinary spending by the Metropolitan Police, which has splashed out £10,919,526 on flights since 2012. Rather than flying economy, officers spent a staggering £5,133,780 on 3,280 business class flights in the four-year period - an average of £1,565-per-flight. Met detectives also spent £114,530 on 76 first class flights at an average of £1,506-a-flight.

GETTY The spending comes despite serious budget cuts

Officers flying on business and first class would have had access to all the accompanying luxuries, including free alcohol, extensive menu, TV, and comfy seats with greater legroom.

Police need to fly, that goes without saying, but I can't understand why almost half the amount spent has gone on business class flights Police Officer

The Met further spent some £874,150 on 804 premium economy flights over the five year period and £4,797,067 on 14,543 economy flights - an average of £330-a-flight. The revelations come at a time when force is facing a huge £1billion cut to its budget over the next four years - with the possible loss of 8,000 officers from its ranks of nearly 32,000. And the amount spent on flights over the past four years could have paid the annual salaries of 520 new beat bobbies, who start on around £21,000-a-year. One officer, who has worked for the Met for more than 10 years, said the spending on flights was 'extortionate'. He said: "Police need to fly, that goes without saying, but I can't understand why almost half the amount spent has gone on business class flights. "There is no need for spending more than £5million on business and first class flights - we are all tightening the belt, so business or first class should not even be an option." Taxpayers' groups also questioned the vast sums being spent. Jonathan Isaby, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Police have to fly as part of the job, but this is an eye-watering bill for business class flights.

"Taxpayers are being asked to pay for flights they could never afford for themselves, and many small business owners who travel for their work will wonder why those in the public sector aren't making the same choices as them. "It's crucial that taxpayers get value for their hard-earned money and that the police look to make savings in the least painful way possible." But last night a spokesman for the Met tried to justify the spending. He said: "In all instances, the most economical fare is purchases that meets the needs of the traveller and the reason for the visit.

GETTY This information was revealed through an Freedom of Information request

"Authorisation for all overseas trips is made by an officer of at least ACPO Commander rank or equivalent staff in overall charge of a business area." He added: "The work of MPS officers and staff can require them to travel abroad for investigative and operational reasons. "The vast majority of flights undertaken are in the course of operational deployments, requiring immediate activity at the destination.

GETTY The police are facing a £1 billion budget cut over the next four years