HC Deb 28 February 1980 vol 979 c675W
39. Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables are currently serving in the police forces in England and Wales; and what relationships the number of special constables has to the number of regular police officers.

Mr. Whitelaw

A total of 15,960 special constables were enrolled at 31 December 1979, the latest date for which figures are available. There is no set relationship between the numbers of special constables and regular police officers: chief officers of police are encouraged to enrol as many special constables as they can usefully train and employ.