The Metropolitan Police has "placed restrictions" on the amount of leave officers can take in order to deal with "issues" arising from Brexit.

The police service told Sky News the restrictions on leave would apply to "certain dates in March and April 2019", but added it was not cancelling all leave.

It said the measure would "allow the service to have sufficient officers and staff available to deal with any issues arising from the UK leaving the EU".

It comes after a leaked document revealed police chiefs have drawn up contingency plans to deal with the possibility of "civil disorder" and "widespread protest" after a no-deal Brexit.

The document, from the National Police Co-ordination Centre, warned that shortage of medicines and rising food prices could lead to unrest.


It also outlined the potential for police chiefs to call on the military to tackle disorder.

Home Secretary Sajid Javid said that departments had to "prepare for all possible outcomes" but told the public not to worry.

The government has repeatedly said it does not want a no-deal Brexit and is working to leave the European Union with a deal on 29 March.