HC Deb 04 June 1998 vol 313 cc305-6W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) men and (b) women from ethnic minorities were serving in the Metropolitan Police Force on 1 May. [43657]

Mr. Michael

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that the closest date for which it is possible to provide these figures is 5 May, as figures are collated on the first Monday of each month. The numbers of ethnic minorities serving in the Metropolitan Police on 5 May were(a) 665 men and (b) 190 women. The current percentage of ethnic minority officers is 3.2 per cent. During the 1996–97 financial year, 694 new officers were recruited, of whom 6.7 per cent. came from ethnic minority backgrounds. The following table shows how the percentage of ethnic minority officers has increased steadily from 1.98 per cent. in 1991–92.

Financial year Ethnic minorities strength Percentage of force
1991–92 563 1.98
1992–93 614 2.2
1993–94 671 2.4
1994–95 730 2.6
1995–96 797 2.9
1996–97 822 3.0
1997–98 856 3.2

Note:

Figures from Commissioner's annual reports