HC Deb 11 May 1977 vol 931 c481W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details of the campaign during the summer of 1976 in the Press to persuade coloured people to join the police; how many inquiries resulted; how many applicants there were; and how many of these applications were accepted.

Dr. Summerskill

A limited programme of advertising in the ethnic minority Press was carried out by the Home Office as part of the national police recruitment campaign between June and August 1976. The advertisements appeared in a number of Asian and English language publications which circulate among the Asian and West Indina communities in this country. The main purpose was to present to members of these communities the opportunities which the police service offers rather than to attract direct applications. Nevertheless, 126 inquiries leading to 32 applications to join police forces in England and Wales were received. As far as is known, none of these applicants has joined the police, but the total number of members of the ethnic minorities serving rose from 152 in June to 191 at 31st March 1977.

Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give details of the special advertising campaign designed to attract coloured persons to join the Metropolitan

Coloured Police Officers
Force Constables Sergeants Total
Metropolitan Police 77 1 78
Greater Manchester Police 6 0 6
Merseyside Police 4 0 4
South Wales Police 1 0 1
West Midlands Police 27 1 28