§ 11. Dr. Twinnasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are now specifically allocated to drugs work; and how this compares with 1979, 1982 and 1985.
§ Mr. MellorBy April of this year, a total of 1,157 police officers will he serving in force drugs squads, drugs wings of regional crime squads and the national drugs intelligence unit. On 31 December 1985, 833 officers were serving in force drugs squads and the national drugs intelligence unit. On 31 December 1983 the equivalent figure was 600. Force drugs squads were first established in every force in 1983 and information for earlier years is not availble.
§ Dr. TwinnI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. Is he aware that the increase in police officers specifically dedicated to the fight against drugs has been very widely welcomed? Can he tell the House how the increase in police officers has affected the number of drug seizures? Can he confirm that the Government will continue to place emphasis on the fight against drug demand as well as drug suppliers?
§ Mr. MellorYes, indeed we will. Last year, if police and the custom figures are taken together, there were record numbers of people arrested for trafficking in drugs. I know we would all like to congratulate the police on making, a few weeks ago, the largest single seizure of cocaine in this country—34 kilos in one seizure alone.