A damning review has revealed serious failures in the Metropolitan Police’s recruitment and vetting processes, with thousands of officers and staff inadequately checked during a major recruitment drive. The report found that as many as 22,000 recruits between 2019 and 2023 were subject to reduced or incomplete vetting, contributing to at least 131 cases of criminality or misconduct. Among those improperly vetted were two serial rapists, who committed grave crimes while serving as police officers. Investigators concluded that pressure to meet recruitment targets, including efforts to address workforce diversity, led senior leaders to bypass national vetting standards. Thousands of references went unchecked, security clearances were skipped, and some recruits began duties before approvals were complete. Home secretary Shabana Mahmood described the failures as a 'dereliction of duty' which damaged public trust and put citizens at risk.