§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether private police forces, including the River Tees police, are exempt from the provisions of the Protection of Employment Act.
§ Mr. Harold WalkerThe Employment Protection Act excludes employment in police service which is defined as service in England and Wales as a member of a police force or as a special constable; as a constable within the meaning of the Police (Scotland) Act 1967; as a member of any constabulary maintained by virtue of any enactment; or in any other capacity by virtue of which a person has the powers or privileges of a constable.
Any private police force which falls within this definition is exempt from the provisions of the Act. I understand that the River Tees police do in fact come within this definition.