§ Mr. KidneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the distribution of the money that he has identified for additional spending on rural policing in the current financial year, with particular reference to Staffordshire police. [130070]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeWith additional funds made available through the budget, the opportunity has arisen for the Government to recognise the special needs of rural policing. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary therefore agreed to make £15 million available for the remainder of this year to enhance the policing service in rural areas at no cost to the metropolitan forces.
I expect to make an announcement on the final allocation of this additional funding to the House next week.