HC Deb 22 October 2001 vol 373 cc65-6W
22. Hugh Bayley

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the chief constable on increasing the number of police officers in North Yorkshire. [5163]

Mr. Denham

My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has not discussed police numbers with the chief constable. He has arranged to visit the North Yorkshire police in the near future. A range of issues will be discussed including the resources available to the force.

I am told by the chief constable that the force had 1,388 police officers on 21 September which is 83 more than on 31 March 2001. 1 understand that the force is on target to have 1,420 officers by 31 March 2002. The force also had 682 civilian support staff—91 more than in March.

28. Lawrie Quinn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to visit Scarborough and Whitby to inspect the North Yorkshire police force and the rural mobile police station initiative.[5169]

Mr. Denham

I am keen to visit as many police forces as I can to hear the views of the police service and to see the work being done to reduce crime and provide public reassurance. I will be visiting North Yorkshire police on 1 November and will be interested to hear of innovative ways of making police officers more visible and accessible to the communities they serve.