Mr. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed in England and Wales during the most recent year for which figures are available; and how many he expects will be employed in(a) 2000–01 and (b) 2001–02. [95664]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeAs at 31 March 1999, there were 126,096 police officers in England and Wales. Under legislation passed by the previous Government, the powers of the Home Secretary to set overall police numbers were removed. The number of police officers at any given time is determined by chief constables on the basis of resources made available to them. The Government are making available additional resources, in a new ring-fenced crime fighting fund, to provide 5,000 extra police recruits over the next three years.