Sadiq Khan says London could recruit more police officers than it has been allocated by the Government if other forces cannot step up to the plate.

The Mayor says he is “optimistic” about working with the Conservatives and “impressed” by their approach to policing in London.

In July, Boris Johnson promised 20,000 more police across the country, replacing almost all officers previously lost in cuts.

The Mayor said London should get 2,000 in the first round of allocations, and a total of 6,000 – meaning the city would receive more police than other areas.

This was needed because of violent crime in the capital, and the additional pressures of policing national protests, he said.

But the Government confirmed in September that fewer than 1,400 new police will come to London in the first round of funding.Mr Khan said he is “disappointed” with the decision – but that London could train more officers if other police forces cannot rapidly take on new recruits.

He said yesterday (Tuesday) he would ask the Government to move allocations from other forces to London if positions were not filled, because the Met was ready to hire.

Speaking at the London Assembly’s budget scrutiny committee, Mr Khan added: “When I met the Home Secretary [Priti Patel], I was impressed by her listening.

“I was impressed by her understanding of the reason why officers make a difference.

“Soon after our meeting she announced the additional number of officers coming to us.

“I was disappointed that it was only 1,300, but that’s still more than we had before.”

He added: “The Commissioner [Cressida Dick] is making a good case operationally why we need those extra officers.

“It’s not about a London animus or about bias. It’s about realising actually that we’ve got these needs.”

Mr Khan also praised the Prime Minister and Home Secretary’s approach to policing.

He said: “I’ve been really impressed by the receptiveness of both the Home Secretary and the Prime Minister to listen to our lobbying.”

He said previous leaders were not open to “talking about the consequences of cuts” in the capital.

The Mayor admitted he has been criticised by Assembly Members in the past for lobbying ministers.

City Hall Conservatives claim he is too quick to blame central government for problems in the capital.

Before the General Election, the Labour Mayor said he was “concerned” by Boris Johnson’s track record at City Hall.

He also attacked the Prime Minister’s “racist and islamophobic” attitudes, in an interview with LBC radio shortly before the national vote.

But he now says the public “got it right” when they voted for the Conservatives, according to the Sunday Times.