§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many specialist child protection officers have been employed in each county police force in each of the last five years. [129333]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 11 September 2003]Specific information relating to the compliance of police forces with the recommendations of the Victoria Climbie Inquiry Report has been analysed by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, and a summary report of their findings, together with those of Health and Social Services Inspectorates, will be published in October.
Information about the numbers of specialist child protection officers will not be available from this report. The allocation of resources within a force is decided locally by the Chief Constable or, in the case of the Metropolitan Police Service, the Commissioner. Under the National Policing Plan all forces and authorities are expected to review their force policy and local service plans to ensure that child protection is given the appropriate priority.