§ Paddy AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) police officers, (b) civilians and (c) special constables were available to each police force in England and Wales for each quarter from 1992 to 2001; and if he will make a statement. [150417]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 15 February 2001]: Information on police strength is collected twice a year (March and September). Copies of tables showing police officer and civilian strength on a force by force basis for six monthly intervals from March 1992 to September 2000 will be placed in the Library.
Officer numbers are for those available to each force for normal duty. Secondments to central and other duties are excluded.
Statistics of the strength of the Special Constabulary have only been collected twice yearly since 1995. Before 1995, figures were collected annually. The figures for 1992 and 1993 were compiled at the end of the calendar year, the next collection was at the end of the 1994–95 financial year in March 1995. Copies of tables showing Special Constable strength from December 1992 to September 2000 will be placed in the Library.