HC Deb 13 December 2000 vol 359 cc177-8W
Mr. Pond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) powered patrol and supervisory craft, (b) personnel broken down by rank, (c) other staff, (d) operational marine stations and (e) specialist divers of the Thames Division of the Metropolitan police there were in each of the years 1980, 1989 and 2000. [141365]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has provided the information. The force's records for 1980 are incomplete and therefore the information provided is for 1989 and 2000.

(i)1989

There were 21 patrol boats and two supervision launches. The staffing in 1989 was as follows:

Number
Police officers
Superintendent 1
Chief Inspector 1
Inspectors 8
Sergeants 22
Constables 114
Civilian staff and other staff
Civilian support staff 6
Garage staff (including boatyard) 12
Special constables 29

In 1989, Thames Division operated from the following locations: Barnes, Hampton, Moorings and Shepperton, Wapping and Waterloo Pier.Metropolitan police service records in 1989 did not differentiate between divers and other specially employed officers. However, force duty records suggest there were nine officers employed as divers.

(ii)2000

There were 11 patrol boats and three supervision launches. The staffing in 2000 was as follows:

Number
Police officers
Chief Inspector 1
Inspectors 5
Sergeants 14
Constables 67
Civilian staff and other staff
Civilian support staff 6
Special constables 11

In 2000, the Marine Support Unit operated from Wapping with satellite unstaffed bases at Waterloo Pier and Richmond.

There were nine divers (one sergeant and eight constables).