HC Deb 12 February 1970 vol 795 c375W
26. Mr. Carlisle

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total strength of the Metropolitan Police Force and of the principal police forces in England and Wales on 31st December, 1969; and what was the official establishment of the respective forces on that date.

Mr. Callaghan

The information in respect of the Metropolitan Police, and of the 10 largest provincial forces, is as follows:

Force Authorised Establishment Strength at 31st December 1969
Metropolitan Police … 26,058 20,682
Lancashire … 7,000 6,264
West Yorkshire … 4,663 3,532
Cheshire … 3,057 2,450
Birmingham … 3,029 2,471
Thames Valley … 2,960 2,308
Hampshire … 2,750 2,380
Durham … 2,536 2,493
Liverpool and Bootle … 2,579 1,979
South Wales … 2,581 2,392
Manchester and Salford … 2,433 2,098