§ Mr. Greg KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what disciplinary measures have been taken against police officer; as a result of the breach of security on the parliamentary estate on 20 March. [165872]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 19 April 2004]: In the immediate aftermath of the incident on 20 March, the Metropolitan Police Service instigated an investigation into the incident, to ensure that they had delivered the appropriate and professional response. That investigation continues, and I would not want to prejudge the outcome of that investigation.
§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for the decision not to charge the officers who made racist comments while filmed by an undercover journalist for the BBC documentary "The Secret Policeman". [166072]
§ Ms BlearsThe Crown Prosecution Service makes the determination in all cases where criminal charges are being considered. The Crown Prosecution Service informs us that matters in respect of two of the 10 officers are the subject of further investigation. Once this investigation has been completed a file will be slit mined for the Crown Prosecution Service's further consideration.
594WThe remaining eight officers were not prosecuted because the Crown Prosecution Service considered there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.
All 10 officers concerned were allowed to resign. Their police forces considered it in the public interest to end their relationship with the police service as quickly as possible rather than force them to remain to face police misconduct proceedings.
§ Brian CotterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what change there has been in police numbers in(a) the Avon and Somerset police authority and (b) Weston-super-Mare in each year since 1997. [167504]
§ Ms BlearsThe increase in police numbers for the Avon and Somerset constabulary for each year since 1997 is set out in the table.
Police officer strength Increase decrease Percentage change 31 March 1997 2,989 — — 31 March 1998 2,976 -13 -0.43 31 March 1999 2,999 +23 +0.77 31 March 2000 2,934 -65 -2.17 31 March 2001 2,960 + 26 + 0.89 31 March 2002 3,096 + 136 +4.59 31 March 2003 3,149 + 53 +1.71 31 December 2003 3,371 + 222 + 7.05 Overall increase — 382 +12.78 Weston-super-Mare is part of the North Somerset Basic Command Unit (BCU). Information on strength at BCU level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.
Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the North Somerset BCU increased by 4.9 per cent. (from 203 to 213). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Stephen Pilkington QPM) and within the North Somerset BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.
§ Mr. KaufmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Manchester Gorton has been since 1997. [167466]
§ Ms BlearsManchester Gorton is part of the South Manchester Basic Command Unit (BCU). Information on strength at BCU level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.
Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the South Manchester BCU increased by 0.8 per cent. (from 954 to 962). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable (Michael Todd QPM) and within the South Manchester BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.
The number of police officers in Greater Manchester Police has increased by 848 since March 1997 to 7,770 in December 2003.