The Metropolitan Police Federation has raised fears over Met

Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson's desire for police officers to walk

the beat on their own, rather than in pairs, in a bid to increase the

number of patrols.


The Federation pointed to figures obtained from UK police forces two years ago – by Tory MP Grant Shapps, under the Freedom of Information Act – which showed there were 70 assaults a day on police officers.

It also warned that lone officers could find themselves "disempowered" to become involved in confrontational situations.