§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are attached to each Basic Command Unit in England and Wales. [83674]
§ Mr. DenhamInformation on the number of officers in each Basic Command Unit (BCU) is provided annually (31 March) by each police force to Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. The tables setting out the position for 31 March 2002 have been placed in the Library.
Policing by each BCU would additionally be supported by officers deployed to other operational roles, such as traffic officers, police support units and dog and mounted sections.
Year Total number of deaths in police custody Number of inquest verdicts where neglect was a contributory factor Inquest verdicts Inquest verdicts awaited 1992 48 0 — 0 1993 31 0 — 0 1994 39 0 — 0 1995–96 50 2 1. Accidental death contributed to by neglect 0 2. Natural causes contributed to by neglect 1996–97 57 2 1. Drug abuse contributed to by neglect 0 2. Accidental death—aggravated by neglect 1997–98 69 1 Accidental death contributed to by neglect 0 1998–99 67 2 1. Natural causes contributed to by self-neglect 1