§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how m my(a) funded and (b) actual specials were in post in each of the Welsh constabularies on (i) 31 March 1997 and (ii) the latest date for which figures are available. [154803]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke [holding answer 22 March 2001]The Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate collect police personnel statistics, including those of the Special Constabulary.
There are no national targets for specials and each of the Welsh constabularies has advised that it does not differentiate between funded and actual specials. The Special Constabulary strength figures for the Welsh constabularies for 31 March 1997 and 30 September 2000 (the latest figures available) are given in the table.
March 1997 September 2000 Dyfed Powys 283 193 Gwent 157 131 North Wales 341 233 South Wales 361 254