§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average gap between recruitment and enlistment of special constables was in the Metropolitan Police in the last 12 months. [65497]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis informs me that the average processing time for applicants to the Metropolitan Special Constabulary in the past 12 months was 12 weeks (from date of receipt of application to attestation).
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in Buckinghamshire in each of the last five years for which figures are available. [68523]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 16 July 2002]: The Home Office records the number of special constables by police force, not by county. The number of special constables in Thames Valley Constabulary at 30 September between 1997–2001 is as follows:
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 694 587 472 463 377 Figures supplied by Thames Valley Police.
Special constables are a key element of our police reform agenda. We are working on a package of measures to help reverse the decline in the number of special constables by improving the way they are recruited, managed and deployed. We are publishing guidance on good practice by the end of the year. We are also keen to improve liaison with employers and to encourage recognition of the wealth of skills and experience that specials bring to the workplace. We have also set aside £300,000 to help "specials champions" drive forward initiatives to improve recruitment and retention.