§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Islington, South and Finsbury of 20 December 1990,Official Report, column 334, he will call for a report from the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on any changes made since that date to force instructions contained in the Metropolitan police force instruction manual or elsewhere relating to police operations to detect possible offences of indecency; and whether clearer guidance has been provided.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI understand from the Metropolitan police that no such changes have been made since 20 December 1990, although this is being kept under review. The Metropolitan police instruction manual includes directions to officers as to the procedures to be followed in a wide range of street duties. It contains no specific instructions relating to the detection of offences of indecency. This is because the action to be taken by officers must be determined primarily by the circumstances of each particular case, within the overall guidelines.