HC Deb 18 October 1989 vol 158 c126W
Mr. Nicholas Bennett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase in police manpower since 1979.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

At the end of July this year, police manpower stood at a record level of 169,022, made up of 125,808 police officers and 43,214 civilian staff. These figures represent a gain of 14,315 police officers and 8,584 civilians under this government since May 1979.

My right hon. Friend will be able to approve a further 1,100 police posts for 1990–91 so that police numbers will continue to grow.