High police vacancy rates have left a “gaping hole at the heart of the Met” according to new figures released detailing 64 vacancies across Greenwich.

The report, obtained by Labour London Assembly member Joanne McCartney, shows the borough is without 10 sergeants and 37 constables.

The figures from May, the most recent available, also show a £13.7 million Met under-spend on police officer pay, suggesting the vacancies have been sitting open as part of a cost-saving exercise.

London Assembly Labour group's Joanne McCartney said: "It is an absolute scandal that police numbers have been allowed to fall this low, and these vacancies are leaving a gaping hole at the heart of the Met."

Greenwich, with official figures showing 119 police officers and PCSO’s cut from its streets between May 2010 and 2014, is one of 14 London boroughs with vacancy rates of more than six per cent, with five facing double digit deficits.

Labour London Assembly for Greenwich and Lewisham, Len Duvall, said: “Whilst a small churn in the number of officers is to be expected, these are deeply concerning figures. With 64 police officer positions unfilled we need to ask not only what impact that has on policing, but why the Mayor of London Boris Johnson has allowed it to happen in the first place.

“Either the depth of officer morale is so low they are haemorrhaging officers, or these posts are being kept open to keep costs down. Either way the Mayor should take immediate action to ensure our police force is up to strength and vacancies are filled as quickly as possible.”

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "Whilst these figures released in May provided a snapshot at that time, much has changed since then and the position is positive.”