§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance is issued to special constables about their powers of arrest; and in what ways such guidance differs from that issued to police constables.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw:Within the police area for which he is appointed and in contiguous police areas a special constable has the same powers of arrest as a regular constable. Guidance is issued by the Home Office to chief officers of police, as the need arises, on particular legislation, which may include powers of arrest, but such guidance does not distinguish between the exercise of such powers by regular or by special constables.
§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, by police force area, the number of special constables.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw:This information is collected annually. I shall write to my hon. Friend when figures for 31 December 1984 are available.