§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will list the police forces whose officers have been trained in the use of neck holds as a restraint technique-procedure; in the case of each such 359W police force, what guidelines, advice or training has been given to officers as to the potential dangers of the use of neckholds; and when such guidelines, advice or training were issued;
(2) whether police officers in Cleveland police force had had the benefit of guidelines, advice or training in the use of neck holds in July 1990;
(3) whether police officers in the West Midlands police force had had the benefit of guidelines, advice or training in the use of neck holds in February 1987;
(4) what circular instructions, guidelines or advice the Home Office has issued to police forces in England and Wales concerning the potential dangers of the use of neck holds as a restraint.
§ Mr. Charles WardleTraining in self-defence and restraint is included in the initial training given to all police probationers at police district training centres. Cleveland and West Midlands police officers have received the same basic training as all forces. In 1992 a manual on police self-defence and restraint was issued by the central planning unit. A copy of the manual is in the Library of the House.
The manual is being reviewed and the incidents in Cleveland in July 1990 and in the West Midlands in February 1987 will be taken into account. It is not feasible for the guidance to be prescriptive. What particular means of restraint is reasonable will depend on the circumstances of the case, the nature of any struggle and any weapons which the subject may be attempting to use to resist arrest. In all circumstances, police officers are bound by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967 which provides that only such force as is reasonable to the circumstances may be used in making an arrest.