§ 34. Mr. FlanneryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to check on the number of constables who are on the beat throughout the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend is responsible only for police forces in England and Wales.
He receives, through Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, information on the deployment of police officers on patrol1 in provincial forces as at 31 December each year. On 31 December 1987, 43,347 constables were shown to be on patrol duties—60.5 per cent. of available strength. All ranks on patrol were 52,470–55.2 per cent. of strength, an increase on the previous year of 2.9 per cent.
My right hon. Friend also receives regular information about the deployment of Metropolitan police officers on street duties. On 23 October there were some 15,900 uniformed PCs on divisional duties, 660 more than a year earlier: about 30 per cent. of their time was spent on street duty.
1 Covers foot and car patrol, home-residential beat, detached beat, support groups, dog sections, mounted branch and marine section.