The Ecuadorian Embassy in Knightsbridge. Image: Google Street View

Met Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe has announced a review of surveillance costs for Wikileaks founder Julian Assange.

In figures disclosed to LBC Radio, it’s been revealed the Met police team stationed at the Ecuadorian embassy has cost over £9 million to maintain since June 2012.

Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe announced a re-evaluation of the ongoing operation:

We won’t talk about tactics but we are reviewing what options we have. It is sucking our resources.

The Met Police have a 24 hour guard outside the embassy to prevent the escape of the Wikileaks founder.

If Julian Assange leaves the site he faces arrest on allegations of sexual assault from two women in Sweden, as well as potential extradition to the United States for his Wikileaks work.

He denies any wrongdoing.

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In a statement at the end of last year Julian Assange announced plans to leave the Ecuadorian Embassy and hand himself into police, although further steps are yet to be taken.

The figures were obtained by LBC Radio under the Freedom of Information Act.

The Metropolitan police needs to make £800m of savings in its operations in the coming years on top of the cuts already made.