§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the total change in England and Wales in the number of(a) all police officers, (b) police constables, (c) civilian police force staff and (d) special constables between May 1997 and the last date for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. [99793]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 26 November 1999]: Information is available in respect of numbers at March 1997 and March 1999. The information is set out in the table.
Police service numbers for March 1997 and March 1999 Police Service Numbers March 1997 March 1999 Total Change Total Police Officers1 127,158 126,096 -1,062 Police Constables1 98,132 97,520 -612 Civilian police force staff1 53,011 53,031 +20 Special Constables 19,864 16,484 -3,390 1 Full-time equivalent numbers The powers of the Home Secretary to set police establishment levels for each force were removed under the Police and Magistrates' Courts Act 1994. It is for the chief officer to determine staffing requirements within the overall resources available.
The drop in the number of special constables has resulted mainly from police forces applying higher standards when recruiting them. The use of higher standards for recruiting reflects the fact that special constables are now being deployed on duties very similar to those of regular officers.