§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the fact that several police forces including that in King's Lynn are reducing and abolishing their panda and motorised force and returning to community policing on the beat, if he will cause an investigation to be made to ascertain the cost savings on a national implementation of this method of policing; and to what extent it would improve police efficiency.
§ Mr. MayhewUniform policing methods would not be the best way to improve efficiency. Chief officers of police and police authorities take account of the differing needs of each area in considering the priorities of the force as a whole. Policing methods are kept under constant review by chief officers of police and receive close attention from Her Majesty's Inspectors of Constabulary to ensure that the resources available are used effectively.