HC Deb 15 February 2001 vol 363 cc252-3W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate(a) the total number of police officers and (b) the number of frontline officers in the Avon and Somerset area in each year since 1978–79. [148739]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Information on police numbers in Avon and Somerset constabulary from December 1978 is provided in the table. However, it is only possible to provide information from December 1990 on the number of operational (frontline) officers. The information on operational officers has been provided by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary.

Data on operational numbers were collected on a calendar year basis between 1990 and 1993. Police numbers prior to 1994–95 have therefore been provided on the same basis so that the data are comparable. From 1994–95 all data are on a financial year basis (ie as at 31 March of each year).

Avon and Somerset Constabulary police numbers since 1978 and operational numbers since 1990
Year Total number of police officers Number of operational police officers
19781 2,775 n/a
1979 2,861 n/a
1980 2,962 n/a
1981 3,014 n/a
1982 2,996 n/a
1983 2,985 n/a
1984 2,979 n/a
1985 2,965 n/a
1986 2,982 n/a
1987 3,021 n/a
1988 2,975 n/a
1989 3,055 n/a
1990 3,059 2,599
Avon and Somerset Constabulary police numbers since 1978 and operational numbers since 1990
Year Total number of police officers Number of operational police officers
1991 3,072 2,640
1992 3,065 2,379
1993 3,034 2,286
1994–952 3,000 2,262
1995–96 2,981 2,277
1996–97 2,989 2,378
1997–98 2,976 2,417
1998–99 2,999 2,394
1999–2000 2,934 2,777
2000–013 2,941 3n/a
1 Figures between 1978 and 1993 are on a calendar year basis.
2 Figures from 1994–95 are on a financial year basis.
3 Total police numbers for 2000–01 are those for 30 September 2000. Information on the force's operational numbers for 31 March 2001 will not be available until the middle of the year.