§ Miss WiddecombeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list, for each of the last 10 years for which figures are available, the number of special constables in each police force in England and Wales. [122029]
§ Mr. Straw[holding answer 12 May 2000]: The figures for the number of special constables in post in each police force area in England and Wales since 1989 were:
491WThe figures for the years 1989–1993 were recorded at 31 December of each year. Since 1995, the figures were recorded at 31 March.
The figures for the years 1989–1995 have been supplied by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary. Those for 1996–99 have been supplied by the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate.
Higher recruitment standards have been applied by police forces in the last few years to reflect the fact that special constables are being trained and deployed on a wider variety of duties than heretofore. Therefore, while there are currently fewer special constables than in previous years, they are now better qualified, trained and equipped, and offer a better service to both the police and the public.