§ 26. Mr. SayeedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to recruit more police officers in rural areas. [11682]
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§ 32. Mr. BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that police authorities have the resources to enable more police officers to be recruited in rural areas. [11688]
§ Mr. MichaelI recognise that people in rural communities have different policing needs from those who live in urban areas, but the Government have no direct control over police numbers. Under legislation passed by the previous Government, it is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in each force having regard to the resources available to them.
We are working with the police to reduce administrative burdens and to increase civilianisation which will allow chief constables to put more officers on the beat. We also intend to introduce legislation which will place a statutory duty on all local authorities and the police jointly to develop partnerships to reduce crime. Local communities will be able to identify their needs and the strategies to tackle them.
§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to recruit more police officers in rural areas. [11658]
§ Mr. MichaelPeople in rural communities have different policing needs from those in urban areas, but the Government have no direct control over police numbers in either. Under legislation passed by the previous Government, it is for individual chief constables to determine the number of police officers in each force, having regard to the resources available to them and their deployment.
We are working with the police to reduce administrative burdens and to enable chief constables to put more officers out into the community. We also intend to introduce legislation which will place a statutory duty on all local authorities and the police jointly to develop partnerships to cut crime in rural and urban areas alike.