§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there are in England and Wales. [136415]
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§ Ms BlearsThe latest police service strength figures for the year ending 31 March 2003 were published on 1 October 2003 in Home Office Statistical Bulletin 11/03. The number of special constables in England and Wales was 11,037.
§ Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables there were in London in each year since 1997. [136523]
§ Ms BlearsThe number of special constables in the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London Special Constabularies since 1997 are set out as follows:
31 March Metropolitan Police Service
City of London
Total for both London Forces
1997 1,714 86 1,800 1998 1,282 76 1,358 1999 1,138 64 1,202 2000 758 56 814 2001 774 43 817 2002 680 36 716 2003 692 42 734 We are working with stakeholders to increase the size and effectiveness of the Special Constabulary. In particular, we are rolling out Home Office/Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) 'Good Practice Guidance'; we are also arranging a second national specials weekend to help raise the profile of specials and the invaluable work they do; and we are assisting forces to boost their capacity to recruit and manage specials effectively.