HC Deb 11 February 1987 vol 110 cc216-7W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many plain-clothes police officers were on duty at the News International dispute at Wapping on 24 January.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I understand from the Commissioner that there were four plain clothes officers on duty in the vicinity of the demonstration.

Mr. Peter Shore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the current Association of Chief Police Officers guidelines are binding on the officers responsible for policing the Wapping disturbances on 24 January.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

No. The responsibility for maintaining the Queen's peace and enforcing the law rests with the chief officer of police concerned, in this case the Commissioner.

Mr. Peter Shore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the terms of reference of the inquiry to be conducted by Chief Superintendent Wyrko of Northamptonshire into complaints against the alleged excessive use of force by the police during the Wapping demonstration on Saturday 24 January; how many complaints have been received so far; what publicity has been given to this inquiry; and to whom aggrieved members of the public should address their complaints.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that Chief Superintendent Wyrko has been appointedto investigate all allegations and complaints against police officers and about police officers' actions arising from the disturbance at the Wapping demonstration on Saturday 24 January 1987".

Those terms of reference have been agreed with the Police Complaints Authority, which will be supervising the investigation. Twelve complaints have been received so far. I understand that both the Metropolitan police and the Police Complaints Authority have issued press notices about the inquiry. Members of the public who wish to make a complaint may do so at any police station or direct to the Police Complaints Authority.

Mr. Peter Shore

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is to be an internal inquiry conducted by the Metropolitan police into the tactics used to control the crowds at the recent Wapping demonstration.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

No.