HC Deb 11 July 1978 vol 953 cc488-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give, for the latest date since the inception of the Police Complaints Act, the number of complaints made and investigated the number reported to the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the number where he has taken action thereon; what action was taken and with what results; and whether he will make a statement.

Dr. Summerskill

In 1977, a total of 27,450 complaints were made against members of police forces in England and Wales, of which 16,935 had been investigated or withdrawn by the end If the year. Of 3,999 cases referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions under section 49 (3) of the Police Act 1964, 3,785 had been determined. Criminal proceedings were recommended in 156 cases, and had by the end of the year resulted in 94 convictions.