HC Deb 14 March 1978 vol 946 cc112-3W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether, as a means of combating crime, saving costs and having police stationed in areas vulnerable to crime, he will meet representatives of the banks and other large financial interests to see whether they would grant to the police officer or station facilities at their premises on a non-rental or low rental basis so that eventually in almost every major road or street a policeman would be stationed.

Dr. Summerskill

It is for chief officers of police to decide upon ways of providing most effectively for the deployment of their officers, and they may take into account any special local needs or facilities which may be available. While special police officers meet the local needs of some areas, their provision in every major road or street would be unlikely, even if practicable, to represent the most effective use of resources.