HC Deb 07 February 1986 vol 91 cc301-3W
Mr. Leighton

asked 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 the circumstances surrounding an incident on 3 February in which a dustbin was thrown through the window of the Labour party offices in High Street North, E.12, traffic police refused to detain a suspect who had been pointed out to them and an emergency call took over 20 minutes to bring police on to the scene; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Giles Shaw

I understand from the Commission that following a telephone report to the police by a member of the public who witnessed this incident, a police officer arrived 18 minutes later. The police transit van which coincidentally was in the area was manned by traffic wardens who were not empowered to assist in this matter. Police inquiries into the incident are continuing.