HC Deb 06 May 1970 vol 801 cc144-6W
Mr. Hobden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain a report from the Chief Constable of Sussex on the latest figures of the crime detection rate in Sussex and Brighton, the amount of increased expenditure on cars, radios and other facilities to aid detection of crime, how these compare with previous years from 1959, and on the current recruiting position and manpower compared with previous years from 1959.

Mr. Elystan Morgan

Following is the information for those police force areas amalgamated since 1st January, 1968, in the Sussex Constabulary.

Clear-up rate of indictable offences
Per cent.
1959 54.3
1960 54.7
1961 54.8
1962 52.9
1963 50.6
1964 48.7
1965 46.6
1966 48.8
1967 49.2
1968 54.2
1969 54.7

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

EXPENDITURE ON CARS, RADIOS AND OTHER FACILITIES TO AID THE DETECTION OF CRIME 1959–69
Vehicles
Year Purchase Running Costs Working and Maintenance
£ £ £
1959–60 21,953 29,435 8,990
1960–61 24,864 31,884 10,379
1961–62 28,893 31,723 11,665
1962–63 27,617 35,974 9,797
1963–64 41,704 38,956 11,935
1964–65 29,720 43,787 11,742
1965–66 44,950 54,933 16,578
1966–67 88,843 74,589 22,258
1967–68 95,393 101,797 37,237
1968–69 86,883 132,061 44,964
year Photographic, Scientific and Wireless Equipment Other Supplies, Equipment and Tools Communications
£ £ £
1959–60 7,676 3,387
1960–61 7,397 3,950
1961–62 12,357 7,367
1962–63 10,468 6,316
1963–64 11,812 7,587
1964–65 15,531 9,465
1965–66 18,684 16,675
1966–67 23,709 18,229
1967–68 34,657 30,532
Photographic and Scientific Equipment
1968–69 5,445 21,901 155,636
Notes:
1. The grant claim form was altered in 1968–69 and it is therefore not possible to give a run of comparable figures.
2. The 1968–69 heading " Communications " includes telephones and teleprinters as well as wireless. Expenditure on telephones and teleprinters was previously shown under a general heading (" Establishment Expenses ") and was not identifiable.
3. The 1969–70 figures are not yet available.
PROVISION OF CARS
Year Number
1959 81
1960 83
1961 87
1962 90
1963 91
1964 98
1965 100
1966 134
1967 141
1968 246
1969 288
MANPOWER
Recruitment Wastage Police Strength at 31st December
1959 — — 1,516
1960 — — 1,536
1961 — — 1,585
1962 141* 72* 1,649
1963 121* 84* 1,684
1964 149* 123* 1,698
1965 235* 103* 1,826
1966 303 122 2,021
1967 286 116 2,212
1968 123 135 2,219
1969 160 169 2,220
31st March
1970 2,249
* Including transfers