Information on Major Crime Units

Freedom of information request reference no: 01.FOI.24.037406

I note you seek access to the following information:

What unit of the MPS covers major crime (i.e. murder, manslaughter) and is there a designated detective branch that covers and investigates these crimes in London?
If so, please detail them, including their structure and other related information.

Decision

I have today decided to disclose the located information to you in full.

Please find below information pursuant to your request above.

Homicides in London are investigated by dedicated teams within the Met’s Specialist Crime (SC) portfolio. These teams are referred to as Major Investigation Teams (MIT).

There are four SC hubs in London: North West, North East, South West and South East. Each hub contains teams providing a variety of specialist services, which includes homicide investigation. Each hub houses 5 MITs, therefore, there are 20 MITs across London. The Met’s homicide cover is 24 hours, 7 days a week.

Each MIT is made up of the following:

1 x Detective Chief Inspector who is the Senior Investigating Officer and leads the MIT.
2 x Detective Inspectors.
4 x Detective Sergeants.
15 x Detective Constables.
1 x Police Constable.
2/3 x Police Staff.

The majority of the MIT workload is homicide, however, in some circumstances they will investigate other matters such as high risk missing persons, fatal fires, work-related deaths and linked series serious sexual offences. This is not an exhaustive list.