§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the recent statement by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis concerning corrupt detectives applies to those engaged in the investigations into pornography; and when investigations into this and the Humphrey and ex-Commander Drury association will be completed.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe Commissioner assures me that he has made no statement intended to prejudge the outcome of investigations not yet completed. On the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 11th February to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Hemel Hempstead (Mr. Corbett).—[Vol. 886, c.77.]
§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the longest stated period of time, or on an annual or monthly basis, the total number of Metropolitan Police, civilian employees, cars and other aids, such as two-way radio, and the number of population in the Metropolitan Police area at each of the stated dates; and if he will make a statement on how the relationship of manpower, modern aids and population is assessed in determining the extent of any manpower shortage.
§ Dr. SummerskillThe manpower requirements of the Metropolitan Police are assessed in the light of such factors as the type and amount of crime, the nature, size and population of the Metropolitan Police District, the amount and density of traffic, and the extent of civilian and other forms of support. It remains our view that every effort should continue to be made to increase the strength of the 273W Metropolitan Police. Precise information about aids other than vehicles and radios
As at 31st December: 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 Policemen … … … … 18,012 17,951 18,201 18,699 19,451 19,896 Policewomen … … … 468 463 479 493 545 562 Traffic wardens … … … 429 425 463 702 1,257 1,221 Full-time general administration and support staff … … 5,488 5,706 6,063 6,480 7,224 6,092* Number of cars … … … 972 946 973 1,037 1,187 1,613 Total all vehicles (including vans and motor cycles) … … 2,328 2,588 2,639 2,883 2,913 3,071 Number of personal radios … — 23 120 370 2,394 4,920 Number of mobilefone radios … 886 1,045 1,237 1,557 1,784 2,065 Population in 000's … … 8,168 8,182 8,376 8,389 8,360 8,251 As at 31st December: 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 Policemen … … … … 20,096 20,442 20,724 20,647 20,153 20,127‡ Policewomen … … … 586 615 630 657 630 723‡ Traffic wardens … … … 1,394 1,585 1,966 2,055 1,870 1,791 Full-time general administration and support staff … … 8,481 4,805† 5,327 5,708 5,760 6,581 Number of cars … … … 1,651 1,748 1,871 2,021 1,981 1,885 Total all vehicles (including vans and motor cycles) … … 3,173 3,266 3,262 3,254 3,365 3,498 Number of personal radios … 5,922 6,472 6,472 6,513 6,624 6,500 Number of mobilefone radios … 2,457 2,808 2,816 2,856 3,530 3,536 Population in 000's … … 8,195 8,104 7,908 7,845 7,768 7,724 § * Figures for 1968 and earlier were calculated on a different basis from and are not strictly comparable with those for 1969. † Before 1970 these figures include professional and industrial grades and part-time staff. ‡ These figures include officers transferred to the Metropolitan Police from the British Airports Authority Constabulary at Heathrow. § At 31st October 1974.