§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables were serving in Sussex police in the last six months; and what steps he is taking with the Sussex Chief Constable to increase this number. [100485]
§ Mr. DenhamThe latest available figures for the strength of the Special Constabulary are for March 2002, at which time there were 306 special constables serving in Sussex police. Police numbers are now published annually and the next publication will show figures as at 31 March 2003.
The National Policing Plan 2003–06 reaffirms our commitment to introducing measures to increase the numbers and effectiveness of the Special Constabulary. The National Specials Weekend which was held on 21–23 February provided an opportunity for Forces to
encourage more recruits by raising the profile of the Special Constabulary and recognising the enormous contribution made by its members to local policing".And the new Specials website at www.specialconstables. gov.uk has been designed so that specials and their managers can keep abreast of developments and share good practice. Guidance on good practice in all aspects of Specials' local recruitment, management and deployment is being produced by the Home Office with the Association of Chief Police Officers, and will be published on this site.