HC Deb 23 May 1985 vol 79 cc492-3W
Mr. Henderson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the actual strength of each of the Scottish police forces, and in total at the latest date for which figures are available; and how these figures compare with the comparable month in 1979.

Mr. Ancram

The information requested is set out in the following table:

Force Actual Strength at 31 March 1979 Actual Strength at 31 March 1985 Percentage Increase
Central Scotland Police 477 548 14.9
Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary 298 309 3.7
Fife Constabulary 639 659 3.1
Grampian Police 903 954 5.6
Lothian and Borders Police 2,236 2,386 6.7
Northern Constabulary 595 604 1.5
Strathclyde Police 6,599 6,778 2.7
Tayside Police 928 951 2.5
TOTAL 12,675 13,189 4.1

The figures include officers who are employed at ports, airports and oil-related industrial sites and whose costs are not borne entirely by police authorities. Also included are officers on national training courses and those seconded to central service posts.