§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vacancies for police officers there are within the Metropolitan police force; and if he will make a statement. [123485]
§ Ms BlearsThe Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis informs me that at the end of May 2003 there were 28,602 police officers in the Metropolitan police service (MPS) against a budgeted workforce target for the policing year ending 31 March 2004 of 29,856 officers. There are therefore some 1,254 vacancies (although this changes on a weekly basis).
The recruitment target for the MPS in the current year is 3,440. This takes account of projected leavers from the service and continuation of the recruitment of additional officers as part of the safer City campaign. The MPS continues to attract applications and has in place the processes to ensure it meets its recruitment plans.