HC Deb 26 June 2000 vol 352 cc656-8
12. Mr. Simon Burns (West Chelmsford)

How many police officers were (a) in place and (b) funded on (i) 31 March 2000 and (ii) 31 March 1997 in Essex. [126130]

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Jack Straw)

The Essex police had 2,961 police officers on 31 March 1997, which I understand was in line with their budgeted plans. I have been informed by the chief constable that the Essex police had 2,809 police officers on 31 March 2000 compared with a budgeted figure of 2,859. It is for chief officers to determine the number of officers to be funded within the overall resources available to them. Specific funding is being made available to Essex under the crime fighting fund to enable it to recruit 103 officers in addition to existing plans over the coming two years.

Mr. Burns

However likeable the Home Secretary is, it would help if he would cut some of the flannel and spin, because the figures show that there are fewer police officers in Essex now than in March 1997. Does he accept that, notwithstanding the 103 funded officers for the future about whom he spoke, his announcement on Friday of the increased money for the Metropolitan police has produced the double whammy that people in Essex who want to be police officers will be drawn to the Met to serve because they will earn more money, and existing officers in the Essex constabulary will resign and move to the Met because the financial differentiation will be £6,000?

Mr. Straw

The hon. Gentleman's initial criticism was not well placed. I answered the questions that he asked, and just that.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Charles Clarke)

Shame.

Mr. Straw

That is always my aim in the House, from wherever questions come, as it is my hon. Friend's too.

I was delighted to announce to the House last Friday that, from next week, Metropolitan police officers appointed after 1 September 1994 will receive an increase of £3,300 in their allowance, because there have been specific recruitment and retention problems for those groups of Met officers in London. We understand the concerns of police forces in the outer London area and in the home counties. My hon. Friend and I have had a number of discussions with the chief officers concerned—of Thames Valley police in my case, and Essex and a number of other services—

Mr. Nick Hawkins (Surrey Heath)

And Surrey.

Mr. Straw

And Surrey.

Mr. Oliver Heald (North-East Hertfordshire)

And Hertfordshire.

Mr. Straw

And Hertfordshire, and Kent.

Sir Patrick Cormack (South Staffordshire)

And Staffordshire.

Mr. Straw

Staffordshire is not a home county.

We have told all those chief officers that we understand their concern, but that we need detailed evidence from them on recruitment problems of the same kind that we had from the Metropolitan police service in respect of its problems. If we have that evidence we can take steps to deal with the problem.