§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many officers have been working on the Jill Dando murder. [152385]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the number of officers engaged in the investigation of the Jill Dando murder has fluctuated according to the progress of the investigation and the particular demands at the time. I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 15 July 1999,Official Report, column 319W, 2 November 1999, Official Report, column 114W and 21 March 2000, Official Report, column 484W. There is no record of the overall number of police officers who have been involved in the case from the start of the investigation.
A total of 10 officers are currently involved in the preparation of the court case. In addition, two officers have been dedicated to assisting witnesses and dealing with the publicity surrounding the trial.