§ Mr. ReedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in post in Leicestershire Police Authority in(a) each year between 1991–92 and (b) the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [125256]
§ Ms BlearsThe information is set out in the table.
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Leicestershire police authority At 31 March Police strength Civilian support staff strength 1992 1,845 676 1993 1,805 661 1994 1,825 646 1995 1,839 679 1996 1,908 667 1997 1,949 755 1998 1,983 774 1999 1,993 802 2000 1,993 805 2001 2,033 806 2002 2,100 816 2002 (30 September) 2,086 n/a Police officer strength in Leicestershire has increased by 137 since March 1997. This is an increase of seven per cent. and is significantly higher than the national increase for the same period of 3.4 per cent.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to create a separate police force for the city of Nottingham. [125154]
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§ Ms BlearsThe Secretary of State may make alterations to the boundaries of police areas by order under sections 32 to 34 of the Police Act 1996. He may only do so if he has either received a request to make alterations from the relevant police authority or authorities or if it seems to him that it is expedient to make changes in the interests of efficiency and effectiveness. I have received no such request from Nottinghamshire Police Authority nor am I aware of any evidence that indicates that the policing of either the city of Nottingham or the county of Nottinghamshire would be improved by creating a separate force for the city.