HC Deb 11 November 1997 vol 300 cc462-3W
Mr. Vaz

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide a breakdown of(a) the numbers and (b) the percentages, of police officers according to their grade, by (i) gender and (ii) ethnic origin. [14979]

Mr. Michael

The latest available information is given in the table.

Police strength, England and Wales, 31 March 1997 (excluding secondments)
Rank Male Female White Black Asian Other Total
Number Per cent. Number Per cent. Number Per cent. Number Per cent. Number Per cent. Number Per cent.
Inspector 5,899 95.3 291 4.7 6,153 99.4 11 0.2 14 0.2 12 0.2 6,190
Sergeant 17,585 93.3 1.265 6.7 18,653 99.0 66 0.3 82 0.4 50 0.3 18,850
Constable 79,604 82.4 17,030 17.6 94,636 97.9 917 0.9 656 0.7 425 0.4 96,634
Total 106,131 85.0 18,710 15.0 122,595 98.2 999 0.8 756 0.6 490 0.4 124,841