§ Sir Norman FowlerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department(1) how many police constables are currently employed in the police service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement; [45176]
(2) what is the current police officer strength of the police service in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement; [45177]
(3) how many civilians, including traffic wardens and caterers, are employed in the police service; and if he will make a statement. [45185]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 11 June 1998]: Provisional figures supplied by the police, which are subject to validation, show that there was a total of 98,212 police constables as at 31 March 1998. The total police service strength was 126,769. The civilian strength, which includes contract catering staff, was 57,397, including 3,790 traffic wardens.
Ministers have no direct control over police numbers. Under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act passed by the previous Government in 1994, it is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in their force area, within the resources available to them.