§ Mr. Bob RussellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the established strength was of the Colchester Division of the Essex police force; and what was the actual number in post at(a) May 1995, (b) May 1996, (c) May 1997, (d) May 1998, (e) May 1999 and (f) May 2000. [128141]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Chief Constable of Essex is only able to provide figures for 1997 onwards and these are set out in the table.
Colchester division budgeted strength and actual strength 1997–2000 As at 31 May Budgeted strength1 Actual strength1 1997 190 188.2 1998 185 186.8 1999 180 180.6 2000 163 158 1Full-time equivalents The reduction in the budgeted strength of the Colchester Division since 1997 is a consequence of the 63W force's civilianisation programme, the transfer of some posts from Divisional strength to Headquarters strength, although the officers concerned remained based in Colchester, and the formation on 1 April 2000 of Major Investigation Teams. The changes are intended to make Essex police more efficient, effective, responsive to demands and to enable better targeting of resources on crime reduction.
The Colchester Division receives additional policing support from centrally provided road policing, dogs section, air support and Crime Division officers. The number of specialist department officers deployed in Colchester will vary according to demands for their services in Colchester and elsewhere in the Essex police.