HC Deb 11 June 1998 vol 313 cc645-6W
Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that changes in the level of police resources arising from the review of Metropolitan Police boundaries and divisional commands are subject to full public consultation. [45213]

Mr. Straw

Under the 1996 Police Act, I have a power to alter police areas by order. I have no power to alter police divisional boundaries within a police area, as this, and the deployment of police resources within a police area, are matters for the chief officer of the relevant police force. However, section 96 of the Police Act 1996 requires police authorities and, in the case of the Metropolitan Police District, the Commissioner, to make arrangements for obtaining the view of local people about matters concerning the policing of their area.

I am currently considering representations that changes to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District should make them conterminous with those of the proposed new Greater London Authority.

Mr. Burstow

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will assess the advantages of introducing greater conterminosity between police divisions and borough council boundaries in his review of the boundary of the Metropolitan Police. [45214]

Mr. Michael

Yes. The Government are keen to align boundaries in the criminal justice system wherever possible. Conterminous boundaries improve efficiency in the delivery of local services, increasing the effectiveness of joint working between agencies, particularly in partnership arrangements such as those proposed in the Crime and Disorder Bill[Lords]

Under the Police Act 1996, the Home Secretary has a power to alter police areas by order but has no power to determine police divisional boundaries within a police area, which are a matter for the chief officer of the relevant police force.

We are currently considering representations for changes to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police District to make them conterminous with those of the proposed new Greater London Authority.