§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what targets have been drawn up by the police ombudsman for the number of days taken to complete each stage of the complaints process; and what his assessment is of progress made towards meeting these goals. [43891]
§ Jane KennedyThe police ombudsman advises that the targets for dealing with complaints are contained in the police ombudsman's corporate statement and annual business plan 2001–02. The targets are reproduced in the table and include the current levels of achievement. In a number of categories the process for measuring the level of achievement against target is currently at the development stage and therefore these figures are not yet available.
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Target Level of achievement 90 per cent, of complaints to be referred for Informal Resolution within three working days of consent being given 78 per cent, referred within three working days of consent being given 90 per cent, of complainants to be kept informed of progress of Informal Resolution within seven weeks Target deemed inappropriate—progress of Informal Resolution is within control of the police 90 per cent, of complainants to be contacted within three working days of complaint being allocated Measurement methodologies currently in development; no information available 90 per cent, of statements from complainants to be taken within 21 days of complaint being allocated Measurement methodologies currently in development; no information available 95 per cent, of complainants to be kept informed of progress at least every four weeks Measurement methodologies currently in development; no information available 95 per cent, of police officers to be kept informed of progress at key stages of the investigation Measurement methodologies currently in development; no information available 95 per cent, of emergency incident calls from the police to be responded to 24 hours a day 70 per cent, of arrivals at emergency incident locations to within three hours at any time (1.5 hours in Greater Belfast) 70 per cent, of investigations completed by the office not to exceed 110 working days Measurement methodologies currently in development; no information available
§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will break down the number of complaints received by the police ombudsman by(a) perceived community origin, (b) gender and (c) other recorded categories of complainant. [43890]
§ Jane KennedyThe police ombudsman advises that a monitoring form is issued to all complainants asking a number of questions. The answer provided is based on a return of monitoring forms from 2,731 complainants during 2001–02.
(a) Community background of complainants Community background Number Total Percentage of Those with known community background Catholic 208 8 40 Church of Ireland 117 4 22 Presbyterian 118 4 22 Methodist 26 1 5 Other religion 40 1 8 No religion 15 1 3 Unknown 2,207 81 — Total 2,731 100 100 1206W
(b) Gender of complainants Gender Number Percentage Percentage of those with known gender Male Female Unknown 1,981 694 56 73 25 2 74 26 Total 2,731 100 100
(c) Age of complainants Age group Number Percentage Percentage of those with known ages 16–20 253 9 20 21–30 423 15 33 31–40 328 12 25 41–50 186 7 14 51–60 74 3 6 60+ 29 1 2 Unknown 1,438 53 — Total 2,731 100 100
Marital status of complainants 2001–02 Marital status Number Percentage Percentage of those with known marital status Married 184 1 35 Single 194 1 37 Separated 63 2 12 Widowed 12 0 2 Divorced 48 2 9 Co-habiting 26 1 5 Unknown 2,204 81 — Total 2,731 100 100 1207W
Occupational status of complainants 2001–02 Occupational staus Numebr Percentage Percentage of those with known occupational status Working full-time 138 5 26 Working part-time 37 1 7 Unemployed 122 5 23 Student 14 1 3 Self-employed 60 2 11 Retired 26 1 5 Other 7 0 1
Occupational status of complainants 2001–02 Occupational status Number Percentage of those with known occupational status Permanently sick 85 3 16 Looking after family 40 1 8 Unknown 2,202 81 — Total 2,731 100 100
Ethnic origin of complainants 2001–02 Ethnic origin Number Percentage Percentage of those with known ethnic origin White 516 19 99 Indian 1 0 0 Pakistani 2 0 0 Mixed 1 0 0 Other 5 0 1 Unknown 2,206 81 — Total 2,731 100 100
Disability of complainants 2001–02 Disability Number Percentage Percentage of those known Yes 159 6 19 No 678 25 81 Unknown 1,894 69 — Total 2,731 100 100