Royal Parks

HC Deb 17 September 2004 vol 424 cc1794-5W

Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on security measures in place in the Royal Parks. [189203]

Mr. Caborn

From 1 April 2004, policing the Royal Parks passed to the Metropolitan police, working alongside the Royal Parks police in the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit (RPOCU). It would be inappropriate to go into detail about their security measures but these are commensurate with the perceived level of threat at any given time.

The new policing arrangements involve the deployment of Community Support Officers in addition to the police officers and this has made it possible to provide higher visibility policing in the Royal Parks.