HC Deb 11 May 1999 vol 331 cc73-4W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the present number of police officer vacancies of all ranks within the Metropolitan police force; and if he will make a statement. [83370]

Kate Hoey

The Commissioner of the Metropolitan police has provided a comparison between the 31 March 1999 budgeted manpower target levels and actual strengths. It should be noted that the target figures may be varied during any year by the Metropolitan police's Policy Board and this will change the number of vacancies at any one time. Vacancies are filled by recruitment and selection processes.

Rank Budgeted manpower targets Strength Variation of numbers
Commander and above 46 43 -3
Superintendent 172 169 -3
Detective Superintendent 65 58 -7
Chief Inspector 223.5 214 -9.5
Detective Chief Inspector 159 154.6 -4.4
Inspector 914 888.4 -25.6
Detective Inspector 366.5 317.6 -48.9
Sergeant 3,234.7 3,250.68 15.98

Rank Budgeted manpower targets Strength Variation of numbers
Detective Sergeant 1,114 1,072.50 -41.5
Constable 17,356.7 17,797.57 440.87
Detective Constable 2,819.7 2,597.78 -221.92