§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what special features and factors are taken into account by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis in the staffing allocation formula referred to in the annual report for 1986;
(2) what criteria are used by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as the basis for the formula for the allocation of police amongst the Metropolitan police areas referred to in his annual report for 1986.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the manpower allocation formula is used as a means of allocating the number of uniformed police constables available between the eight areas of the Metropolitan police district on an equitable basis. The formula takes account of the general demands on divisions including calls for police assistance, the level of crime, the demands of crime prevention and traffic control, and the number of traffic accidents. It covers also commitments not directly related to local demand such as the need to provide area and divisional support staff, mounted officers, dog handlers, courts' staff and coroners' officers, and special factors such as airports, the Palace of Westminster and major housing estates.
§ Mr. SoleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what indicators are used by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis to assess the demand for police staffing levels other than the formula referred to in his annual report for 1986.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis takes account of a number of factors in assessing the manpower requirements of the force. These include specific demands such as reported crime, traffic accidents, public order and requests by the public for police assistance; and the extent to which the commissioner considers it necessary to undertake a variety of policing activities including the provision of a visible presence on the streets, involvement in community projects and measures against, for example, street robberies and organised crime. Within the framework of the programme of annual manpower increases which my right hon. Friend announced in May 1986, manpower requirements are assessed in an annual manpower review which examines the use being made of existing manpower and future manpower needs.