§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers in the Avon and Somerset force are(a) allocated to policing within the Bristol area and (b) on standby for policing within the Bristol area; and if he will make a statement. [107843]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeI understand from the Chief Constable that three territorial divisions police the Bristol area. At the end of January, there were 831 police officers in these divisions.
705WPolice officers are not held on standby for policing a particular division. Avon and Somerset Constabulary's resources are managed to provide flexibility of response to major incidents, whether planned or spontaneous. A number of specialist units are also available to provide specialised operational policing capabilities on a forcewide basis.
§ Mr. AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) civilians and (b) special constables have been employed by the Avon and Somerset Police for each of the last five years. [107845]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe strength of the civilians and special constables employed by Avon and Somerset Constabulary for each of the last five years is recorded in the table:
Year 1 Civilians 2 Special Constables 1995 1,204 651 1996 1,213 688 1997 1,438 759 1998 1,393 621 1999 1,424 547 1 As at 31 March 2 The civilian figures are full time equivalents, and do not include traffic wardens Source:
Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, Home Office