§ Ross CranstonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables(a) were recruited to and (b) left the West Midlands force in each of the last five years. [9620]
§ Mr. DenhamThe recruitment and wastage figures for West Midlands special constabulary for the period March 1997-March 2001 are set out in the table.
Recruitment Wastage 1997 398 350 1998 213 243 1999 145 206 2000 115 116 2001 120 150 Source:
Figures supplied by Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate
Home Office funded research into the premature wastage of special constables, completed last year, found that the primary reasons for leaving were often external to the service. However, the research identified some underlying management factors contributing to the decision to resign.
Recommendations aimed at reducing the wastage included making improvements to: the flexibility of duties and hours offered; the management structure within which specials operate; the quality of training provided locally; and to local efforts to monitor and prevent wastage.
The Government are committed to increasing the special constabulary and as part of the police reform process we are looking at radical improvements in the management, welfare and deployment of special constables.