News International Plant, Wapping

HC Deb 08 May 1986 vol 97 cc203-4W

Mr. Dicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the cost of policing the demonstrations and pickets at the News International plant, Wapping.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I shall reply as soon as possible.

Mr. Dicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been injured as a result of incidents in and around the News International plant, Wapping; and what measures have been taken to give protection to police officers assigned to these duties.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Three hundred and four, up to 4 May. The usual protective equipment has been available.

Mr. Dicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the impact on crime prevention and detection in London of the recent need to send additional police officers into the Wapping area.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The need for officers to be deployed in this way is regrettable and must have an effect on the service which the police are able to provide elsewhere. I understand from the Commissioner that the precise effect on other crime duties is unlikely to be quantifiable.

Mr. Dicks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have had to be taken away from their normal duties elsewhere in London to provide support to the local division at Wapping.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I understand that over 350,000 police man hours have been spent at or near the News International plant in connection with the industrial dispute there, but information distinguishing those officers who would otherwise have been on duty elsewhere is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The total number of officers involved in the police operation at Wapping has varied from day to day. On Saturdays (the day on which the largest demonstrations have taken place each week) this has ranged from 268 officers (on 8 February) to 1,870 officers (on 5 April). I understand from the Commissioner that 1,744 officers were deployed at the most recent demonstration on 3 May; of these 1,665 officers were from outside the Newham district.