§ Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures govern the transfer of areas from one police force area to another. [6224]
166W
§ Mr. MichaelThese procedures are set out in sections 32 to 34 of the Police Act 1996. The main points are as follows:
The Secretary of State may by order make alterations in police areas in England and Wales, other than the City of London police area. These alterations may result in increases or reductions in the number of police areas, but not in the abolition of the Metropolitan Police District.
The Secretary of State may not exercise this power unless either he has received a request to make the alterations from each of the police authorities affected or if it appears to him to be expedient to make the alterations in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness.
The Secretary of State must give notice of his proposed alterations to the police authorities and local authorities for every area affected. He must consider their objections and give further notice stating whether he accepts the objections and, if he does not, giving his reasons.