HL Deb 25 July 2002 vol 638 cc124-5WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they consider the fall of over 20 per cent in the number of police officers in Northern Ireland between 1998 and 2001 and the rise in the crime rate over the same period to be related. [HL5184]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Crime rates in the whole of the United Kingdom increased between 1998 and 2002. It is not possible to identify one factor alone being responsible for the increase in crime rates in Northern Ireland. As acknowledged in the 2001–02 chief constable's report, the new electronic recording systems have resulted in a significant increase in recorded crime.

While police numbers in Northern Ireland have reduced since 1998, the Government continue to be guided by the chief constable's assessment of policing requirements. The PSNI and Policing Board are working together to develop an overall human resource strategy which will help to ensure optimum use is made of the resources the PSNI has available. However, the Government accept the analysis of the chief constable, again from his annual report, that the need to devote resources to police public disorder situations places great pressure on the ability of PSNI to respond to other crime.