HC Deb 23 July 1999 vol 335 cc739-40W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the crime reduction and community involvement programme, Operation Arrow, in the South Sefton district of the Merseyside Police Authority; and if he will make a statement. [92261]

Kate Hoey

If we are to make a lasting impact upon crime levels, we must engage the support of local communities. Operation Arrow seeks to achieve this by engaging all sectors of the community in South Sefton, understanding their concerns and needs, and then providing a swift and effective response. Early results are encouraging; Merseyside Police and their partners in the initiative are to be congratulated on this innovative approach to improving community safety.

Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the Merseyside Police Authority revenue budget was spent on civilian support staff in the last year for which figures are available. [92260]

Kate Hoey

The Merseyside Police Authority's financial estimates for 1999–2000, as recorded by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance Accountancy (CIPFA), show that the force will commit around 12 per cent. of its net revenue expenditure of £249.5 million to salary costs for civilian support staff.