§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assistance he is giving to Essex Police to increase the numbers of officers. [31491]
§ Mr. DenhamUnder the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF) recruitment initiative, Essex police has been allocated a total of 197 recruits over and above the force's previous recruitment plans for the three years to March 2003.
The force was unable to recruit any of its CFF allocation of 70 officers in 2000–01, but was allowed to carry-over the allocation into 2001–02. The force currently expects to recruit at least 127 CFF officers this financial year.
Essex police strength rose from 2,818 at 30 September 2000 to 2,937 at 30 September 2001. This was an increase of 4.2 per cent.
Essex officers appointed since 1 September 1994 and not in receipt of housing allowance, benefit from an allowance of £2,000 per annum which has been payable since 1 April 2001.
680WWe have also announced the creation of a task force, chaired by Sir David O'Dowd, Her Majesty's retiring Chief Inspector of Constabulary, to consider the steps necessary to deliver a significant increase in the capacity of police officers to provide a visible presence in the community.