§ 27. Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to increase the establishment of police; and what advice he has given to police authorities to have more manpower allocated to foot patrol work.
§ Mr. CarlisleEstablishments are kept under review. But the important thing is to maintain and increase the strength of forces. The strength of the police in England and Wales increased by nearly 2,000 in 1970, over 3,000 in 1971 and over 2,300 in the first eight months of this year, to a total of 99,198 on 31st August last. Deployment of each force is a matter for the chief officer of police, who is best able to judge the particular needs of his police area.