§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces or Metropolitan Police districts have immediate response units; when they were established; how many police officers are allocated to each; what are their functions; how they are occupied while on call; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MayhewDetails of the arrangements made by all police forces in England and Wales for responding to the threat of serious public disorder are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The term "Immediate Response Unit" is applied by the Metropolitan Police to arrangements developed by it since July 1981.16W Officers in each district of the Metropolitan Police district form two units, with a total complement of one inspector, two sergeants and 20 constables. The units were established to provide an enhanced capacity to respond rapidly to potential or actual serious public disorder, to remedy weaknesses identified in Lord Scarman's report of his inquiry into the Brixton disorders on 10 to 12 April 1981. When not required to provide that response, the officers, who are all district officers with local knowledge, are assigned as foot patrols, dealing with local problems and local crime, and may in addition undertake duties such as organised searches in connection with major crime or missing persons.