§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were recruited to police forces in England and Wales in each of the last three years for which figures are available and in total for the period; and if he will make a statement. [94767]
§ Mr. StrawThe total number of police officers recruited by police forces in England and Wales in each of the last three years are:
Year Number 1996–97 6,450 1997–98 6,543 1998–99 5,391 Total 18,384 These figures include transfers between forces and have been supplied by the Home Office Research and Statistics Directorate.
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§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers are planned to be recruited to police forces in England and Wales in each of the next three years and in total for the period; and if he will make a statement. [94768]
§ Mr. StrawIn my announcement on 30 September about the Crime Fighting Fund, the planning estimate I used was 11,000 recruits over the next three years. The basis of this estimate is currently being examined. I shall report the outcome to the House as soon as possible. We shall shortly be asking forces for detailed estimates of their planned recruitment over the next three years in order to assess their bids for money from the Crime Fighting Fund.
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers retired, resigned or were dismissed from police forces in England and Wales in each of the last three years for which figures are available and in total for the period; and if he will make a statement. [94769]
§ Mr. StrawThe information requested is shown in the table.
Total wastage for all police forces in England and Wales from 1996–97 to 1998–991 (all figures obtained from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary) 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 Retirements1 4,478 4,807 4,204 Resignations 739 924 1,189 Dismissals 126 154 176 Total 5,343 5,885 5,569 1 Covers both ordinary retirements and ill health retirements