HC Deb 10 November 2003 vol 413 cc119-20W
Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there are in England and Wales. [136415]

Ms Blears

The latest police service strength figures for the year ending 31 March 2003 were published on 1 October 2003 in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/03. The number of special constables in England and Wales was 11,037.

Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in London in each year since 1997. [136523]

Ms Blears

The number of special constables in the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Special Constabularies since 1997 are set out as follows:

31 March Metropolitan

Police Service

City of

London

Total for both

London Forces

1997 1,714 86 1,800
1998 1,282 76 1,358
1999 1,138 64 1,202
2000 758 56 814
2001 774 43 817
2002 680 36 716
2003 692 42 734

We are working with stakeholders to increase the size and effectiveness of the Special Constabulary. In particular, we are rolling out Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) 'Good Practice Guidance'; we are also arranging a second national specials weekend to help raise the profile of specials and the invaluable work they do; and we are assisting forces to boost their capacity to recruit and manage specials effectively.