§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Metropolitan police officers are currently under investigation following complaints against them.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand from the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis that complaints are being investigated in relation to 4,708 police officers in the force. The number of complaints in progress at any one time is a function of the time taken by each investigation, as well as of the number of complaints made. Complaints against officers of the Metropolitan police have been on the decline for some years. In the early 1980's they averaged over 8,500 a year: since 1985 they have generally been fewer than 5,500 a year. In 1989, 5,350 complaints were made against members of the force.