HC Deb 11 May 1993 vol 224 cc360-1W
Mr. Mills

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the level of police personnel in 1963 and 1993, in the United Kingdom, the west midlands and Solihull including the level of civilian posts; how many uniformed police were on the beat; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

In 1963 there were 80,251 police officers and 13,579 civilian staff in England and Wales. Information for 1963 in respect of the West Midlands and Solihull is not available.

Current figures are given in the table. As data on deployment are collected annually, the figures are for December 1992.

England and Wales West Midlands Police 1Solihull
Police strength 128,045 6,952 2125
Beat/patrol 53,994 3,496 321–25
Civilian staff 49,162 2,471 22
1 Figures are for the Solihull Sub-division, provided by the West Midlands Police.
2 Total number of officers available to the sub-division.
3 Officers available at any one time for beat and patrol. Number of officers varies depending upon shift arrangements.