§ Mr. Ernie Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what has been the average police strength in (a) Tayside and (b) Scotland in each year since 1980; and what are the corresponding ratios of police officers per 1,000 population.
§ Mr. AncramThe information requested is set out in the following table:
Tayside Scotland Average police strength* Police officers per 1,000 population Average police strength* Police officers per 1,000 population 1980 965 2.42 13,282 2.58 1981 960 2.42 13,202 2.55 1982 964 2.43 13,203 2.56 1983 963 2.44 13,188 2.56 †1984 957 2.42 13,175 2.56 * Average police strength figures include officers on secondment, on national training courses, and on central service; and those employed at ports, airports and oil-related industrial sites whose costs are not borne entirely by police authorities. † Figures are as at 31 March 1984.