The force will drop investigations into low-level offences, such as vehicle crime, to save £400 million over the next two years

Britain’s biggest police force will not investigate crimes including public order offences, shoplifting and low-level assaults if officers are required to look at CCTV for more than 20 minutes, The Times has learnt.

Metropolitan Police officers have also been told to drop investigations into thousands of lower-level offences if no CCTV is available.

The Met’s new crime assessment policy, obtained under Freedom of Information, reveals that numerous offences such as vandalism, vehicle crime and fuel theft will not be pursued if the cost of the damage or amount taken is less than £50.

The change comes as police forces across the country, citing budget cuts, have dropped investigations into minor crime such as theft from cars and low-level drug dealing.

Scotland Yard, where officer numbers