HC Deb 12 July 1972 vol 840 cc1561-2
10. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will take steps to achieve an increase in police force establishments for the purpose of providing additional constables to be used exclusively for beat patrol duties, with a view to combating violence, vandalism and other similar acts against people and property; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

In the review of police establishments, which the Government put in hand in 1970, and in which 11 out of 20 forces have so far been covered, the average increase authorised in manpower is 12.5 per cent.

Mr. Dempsey

There is no increase in the number of men for beat patrol. Would the Under-Secretary agree that there is nothing more reassuring to the community than to see that diced cap patrolling the streets and highways? Does he realise that the beat man is a source of information and contact which could lead to the detection of criminals or, on the other hand, to their apprehension and conviction? All this is totally lost to him if he is travelling about in a police car. Has the Under-Secretary considered this?

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

I appreciate the hon. Member's constructive interest in police work, but how the men are deployed is for the discretion of each individual chief constable. I believe that increasing the authorised strength of police forces combined with other matters, such as the use of civilians to release uniformed policemen for more important work, means that some aspects of police work can be taken more fully into account.

Mr. Sproat

The Chief Constable of Aberdeen said recently that youth violence is the most pernicious problem we face. In Aberdeen there are now two assaults every night and one very serious assault each week. There is a growing body of opinion which believes that the sentences given for assault are criminally lenient.

Mr. Buchanan-Smith

The latter part of that question is a matter for the courts. I am very much aware of the hon. Member's other remarks and I pay tribute to the work which the Scottish policemen do day by day and night by night throughout Scotland in difficult circumstances. Each individual chief constable must achieve the right balance between using motorised forms of patrol, which give advantages of speed in reaching the scene of the crime, and use of men on the ground.