HL Deb 17 December 1985 vol 469 cc792-3WA
Lord Harris of Greenwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the establishment of the joint Metropolitan Police and City of London Fraud Squad was last reviewed; and what was its strength and the grade of officers in the squad on 1st November 1978, 1st November 1982, and 1st November 1985.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Glenarthur)

The total strength of the squad at the end of October for each of the years in question was as follows:

  • October 1978–202
  • October 1982–211
  • October 1985–190
These figures are for officers engaged solely on company fraud work. They do not include the Cheque Fraud Unit of the City of London Police, nor Metropolitan police officers engaged on similar work. The Commissioner of Police for the City of London and the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis consider that to give a breakdown of the squad by rank might impair its operational effectiveness.

My right honourable friend has set in hand urgent work to consider where there are specific needs for a further increase in establishment of the Metropolitan Police. The requirements of the Fraud Squad are being considered as part of this process.