§ Mr. Tony Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state the police establishment for the two police divisions covering Newham and the number available for duty in the area for each month since March 1984; how many in the establishment were sent out on weekly tours of duty in mining areas; and how many such weekly tours there have been since March 1984.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThere are no fixed establishments for police divisions in the Metropolitan police district. An establishment is set for each police district and it is for the district commander to deploy available manpower to his divisions according to operational needs and priorities.
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the establishment and strength of "K" district (which includes the borough of Newham) for each month since March 1984 are as set out in the table. Officers from "K" district were sent to the mining areas for periods of duty ranging from one to eight days on 62 occasions between March 1984 and March 1985. The average number of officers sent on each occasion was 39.
Metropolitan Police "K" District Police establishment and strength (March 1984 to May 1985) District establishment District strength 1984 March 1,320 1,215 April 1,320 1,221 May 1,320 1,224 June 1,320 1,213 July 1,320 1,201 August 1,320 1,209 September 1,320 1,204 October 1,320 1,214 November 1,320 1,203 December 1,320 1,209 1985 January 1,320 1,202 February 1,321 1,202 March 1,321 1,198 April 1,321 1,196 May 1,321 1,200