HC Deb 19 December 1990 vol 183 cc200-1W
Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the cost of the deployment of four officers between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989 at the public lavatories at Highbury crescent, London, N5;

(2) if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the costs to the police of the arrest, detention, charging and subsequent prosecution of 35 men arrested between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989 at the public lavatories at Highbury crescent, London, N5.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I understand from the Metropolitan police that no additional costs were incurred in the deployment of the four police officers; and that the only identifiable additional cost incurred in the arrest, detention, charging and prosecution of the 35 men arrested was approximately £600 in overtime payments to police officers involved in the court proceedings.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on how many men arrested at the public lavatories between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989 at Highbury crescent, London, N5, were tried in(a) the Crown court and (b) the magistrates court; how many were convicted; and what sentences were imposed.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I understand from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that, of the 35 men arrested, 15 were tried in the Crown court and the remaining 20 in the magistrates court. Thirty were convicted, with fines ranging from £75 to £150, and some were also bound over to keep the peace.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis indicating the number of years' policing experience the Commissioner requires of police officers who are engaged on surveillance duties in public lavatories.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I understand from the Metropolitan police that, when police officers are employed on surveillance duties at public lavatories, it is force policy that at least one must have experience of this type of duty.

Mr. Chris Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on how many complaints were received from members of the public between 1 September 1989 and 31 December 1989 concerning activities in the public lavatories at Highbury crescent, London, N5; and how many such complainants gave statements to the police, pursuant to section 9 of the Criminal Justice Act 1987, section 102 of the Magistrates' Courts Act 1980 or regulation 70 of the Magistrates' Courts Rules 1981, regulation 70.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

No. I understand that the Metropolitan police were informed in writing of local concerns about the public lavatories in question.