HC Deb 26 March 1970 vol 798 cc489-90W
Mr. Randall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the chief constable on the latest figures of the crime detection rate in Durham and Gateshead, the amount of increased expenditure on cars, radios and other facilities to aid detection of crime, how these compare with previous years, and on the current recruiting and manpower position.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Following are figures for the present Durham police area, including for 1966 to 1968 those for forces now amalgamated with the Durham constabulary.

CLEAR-UP RATE OF INDICTABLE OFFENCES
Per cent.
1964 49.0
1965 47.0
1966 44.3
1967 42.5
1968 40.2
1969 45.1

The figures have been adjusted for the purposes of comparison to take account of certain changes in recording practice and the Theft Act 1968.

NUMBER OF CARS
1964 80
1965 116
1966 129
1967 151
1968 141
1969 157
EXPENDITURE ON:
Purchase of vehicles £
1963–4 49,381
1964–5 50,869
1965–6 64,758
1966–7 66,457
1967–8 129,992
1968–9 168,785
1969–70 136,180
Wireless £
1963–4 18,713
1964–5 20,169
1965–6 28,288
1966–7 29,940
1967–8 48,313
1968–9 61,600
1969–70 47,000
Teleprinters and Telex £
1963–4 2,578
1964–5 2,670
1965–6 3,069
1966–7 3,058
1967–8 2,893
1968–9 16,568
1969–70 19,000

None of these figures includes expenditure on salaries ad wages.

MANPOWER
Recruitment Wastage Authorised Establishment Strength 31/12
1964 144* 124* 2,564 2,375
1965 214* 130* 2,614 2,433
1966 227 150 2,709 2,495
1967 242 106 2,721 2,620
1968 72 122 2,586 2,479+
1969 182 166 2,586 2,493
* Including transfers.
† 152 officers of Stockton Division were transferred to the Teesside force on its inauguration (1st April, 1968), and the River Tyne Police, whose strength was 57, was absorbed into the Durham force on 1st August, 1968.