§ 16. Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent measures he has taken to improve efficiency in police forces. [95005]
§ Mr. StrawStudies by both Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and the Audit Commission have shown that there is considerable scope for improving the efficiency of police forces thus releasing more officers for key operational duties.
The Comprehensive Spending Review set the police an annual target of two per cent. efficiency gains which must be reinvested in frontline policing. The new duty of Best Value will be placed upon Police Authorities from 1 April 2000, and will require them to deliver efficient and high quality services and demonstrate year on year improvements.