§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were serving in the Thames Valley police force on 1 January(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000, (e) 2001 and (f) 2002. [27151]
§ Mr. DenhamFigures are not collected for police strength at 1 January. Figures for police strength at 31 December in the years 1999 to 2001 have been provided by the Chief Constable of Thames Valley police. The force is unable to provide information for the position on 31 December in the years 1996 to 1998. For these years the table shows strength figures at 30 September provided in statistical returns to the Home Office.
Year and month Number of officers 30 September 1996 3,682 30 September 1997 3,705 30 September 1998 3,790 31 December 1999 3,732 31 December 2000 3,750 31 December 2001 3,763