§ Mr. Wheelerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis as to when officers of the Metropolitan Police commenced special operations on the London Underground in support of the British Transport police; what the state of reported crimes was before the special operation commenced; and what progress has since been achieved.
§ Mr. BrittanThe present operation, which involves officers of the Metropolitan Police Special Patrol Group travelling on the London Underground, began on 2 June. The operation was mounted in response to concern at the disorder caused by some people using the Underground and, although detailed statistics of the effect on crime levels are not available, I understand that the response to the operation has been encouraging.