§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects reports to be made on the investigations into the conduct of the South East Regional Crime Squad. [30449]
§ Mr. Michael[holding answer 23 February 1998]: There is no current investigation into the conduct of the South East Regional Crime Squad (SERCS) as a whole. Individual SERCS officers may become the subject of complaint, allegation or report. In such circumstances, the Co-ordinator of SERCS would normally invite an appropriate police force within his region to conduct an investigation.
I have been advised that there are currently seven such inquiries being undertaken by the Metropolitan Police. These investigations are at different stages and their completion dates will depend on the particular circumstances of each case. Three of the seven were instigated by SERCS management. The inquiry which has received most publicity was set in motion after surveillance logs were found to be missing during a trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court. SERCS was inspected by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary during February 1997.