Earl FORTESCUEasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are yet able to publish the results of their arrangements for handling spontaneous disorder.
§ Lord BELSTEADThe review, which my right honourable friend announced in his Statement of 28th April on the disturbances at Bristol (cols. 971–972), has now been completed. In accordance with the undertaking my right honourable friend gave to publish the results, I have placed in the Library of the House a memorandum setting out the broad conclusions which have been reached following consultations with chief officers of police, the police staff associations and representatives of police authorities.
The review has concluded that it would be desirable neither in principle nor in practice to depart from the present broad approach adopted by the police for dealing with disorder. The successful maintenance of public order depends on the consent of those policed. The primary object of the police will continue to be to prevent and defuse disorder through maintaining and developing the close liaison between the police and the local community. At the same time, the public have a clear right to expect police arrangements to be effective if, nevertheless, disorder occurs. Much has been done in recent years to ensure that arrangements are effective but the review has suggested a number of practical ways in which those 1583WA arrangements could be improved. These include measures which will help to ensure that an appropriate number of officers can be deployed swiftly to any incident, with mutual aid between neighbouring forces where necessary, and that these officers are adequately equipped and trained.
My right honourable friend's officials and HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary will, with chief officers of police and others concerned, proceed urgently with the further work that will be necessary to implement the conclusions of the review. My right honourable friend is confident that these provide a sound basis on which the police will be able to carry out their duty to maintain order in a way which will continue to be acceptable to the great majority of people in this country.