§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the secretary of State for the Home Department what the percentage change in full-time police officers in Birkenhead has been since 1997. [166484]
§ Ms BlearsInformation on strength at Basic Command Unit (BCU) level is collected annually and reflects the position at the end of March. Information on BCU strength is only available from 2002.
Birkenhead is part of the Wirral. Between March 2002 and March 2003 police strength for the Wirral BCU decreased by 0.9 per cent. (from 515 to 510). The deployment of officers to BCUs is a matter for the Chief Constable and within the Wirral BCU deployment of officers is a matter for the Divisional Commander.