§ 8. Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department about the recruitment of police officers in Wales. [44154]
§ Mr. TouhigMy right hon. Friend and I are in regular contact with colleagues about issues affecting Wales, including policing matters.
Interim figures show that on 31 January 2002, there were 7,116 police officers in Wales. In 2002–03, Welsh forces have been allocated funding for an additional 136 recruits under the Crime Fighting Fund. These will be in addition to any other planned recruitment.