§ 29. Mr. LathamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will make a statement on police manpower; and what recent discussions he has had with chief constables on this matter.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggTotal police strength at the end of October 1987 was 123,870, the highest ever recorded. Since then my right hon. Friend has approved further increases in police force establishments as part of the phased programme which he announced to Parliament on 20 May 1986, at column 124.
§ Mr. ThurnhamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement about the current level of recruitment of police officers.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggA total of 6,871 police officers were recruited in England and Wales including the Metropolitan police in the 10 months up until 31 October 1987, either to replace officers who retired or resigned or to enable forces to implement increases in establishment. Between May 1979 and October 1987, the strength of the police service, excluding those who are on secondment, increased by 12,019 police officers, from 109,998 to 122,017.