§ 3.20 p.m.
§ The Viscount of Falkland asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they are satisfied that police car sirens are used with adequate restraint in city areas.
287Viscount AstorMy Lords, the decision whether or not to use a police siren must rest with the driver of the police vehicle. We are satisfied that officers are aware of the need to use them with restraint.
The Viscount of FalklandMy Lords, I thank the noble Viscount for that Answer. However, does he not agree that whereas the presence of a policeman or policewoman on the streets is reassuring to members of the public going about their lawful duties, the sight of police cars speeding around with screaming sirens often has the opposite effect? I understand that the modern car siren has four different degrees of shrill tone. Can the noble Viscount further enlighten me as to when it is appropriate to use a siren both during the day and during the night?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, the sound levels of sirens currently used by police vehicles in this country vary between 98 and 119 decibels, measured five metres from the vehicle. The frequencies most commonly used—the two-tone effect—are 1.6 kHz and 3 kHz. With regard to policy on their use, the Association of Chief Police Officers Traffic Committee has advised that sirens are for use on urgent assignments where there is a need to obtain a clear passage through traffic.
§ Lord Hailsham of Saint MaryleboneMy Lords, is not the real point of police sirens that in the course of their operational duties the police have to drive on the wrong side of the road and extremely fast; therefore they are an essential feature of safety? Is that not perhaps a little more important than noise?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, my noble and learned friend is absolutely right. It is necessary for sirens to be used when police cars or motorbikes are being driven at great speed through urban areas. The siren is a way of warning people that they are coming.
§ Lord Jenkins of HillheadMy Lords, we should also consider whether the great speed is frequently desirable or necessary. Is the noble Viscount aware that the restraint to which he referred is not always apparent? The over-use of sirens runs directly contrary to what should be the central principle of policing policy; that is, to produce an atmosphere of urban calm. It produces, on the contrary, bad temper, erratic driving and febrile apprehension. There is also a widespread suspicion —I speak as someone who spent some time in indirect charge of the police—that often sirens are used not for emergencies but when people are going home to lunch.
Viscount AstorMy Lords, the noble Lord will know more about that than I do; after all, he was Home Secretary and presumably went home for lunch quite regularly. But I do not mean to imply that in any way he would ever use a siren for that reason. The ACPO committee stressed that the use of sirens gives the drivers of police vehicles no protection or right of way and warns that the unwarranted use of such devices will undermine the effectiveness of the equipment.
§ Lord Morris of Castle MorrisMy Lords, can the noble Viscount inform the House how many complaints in reference to the misuse of sirens were received, first, in London and, secondly, nationally? Can he further tell us how many officers were disciplined for misuse of sirens in the past 12 months?
Viscount AstorMy Lords, I am afraid I cannot answer any of those questions. I shall write to the noble Lord.
§ Lord EltonMy Lords, does not my noble friend think that there is an odd bias against the police in this Question? There is no mention of the fire or ambulance services, which also make frequent use of these necessary devices.
Viscount AstorMy Lords, my noble friend is right. The fire and ambulance services use them, as does the RNLI, the Forestry Commission when it has to put out a fire, mine rescue units and the RAF mountain, air and sea rescue services.
§ Lord TordoffMy Lords, how often does the Forestry Commission have to go to a fire in London?