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4 Nov 2002 : Column 108W—continued
People Trafficking
Mr. Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken by the Government to curb the number of women illegally trafficked against their will for use in vice rings. [77555]
Beverley Hughes: We set out a comprehensive approach to tackle trafficking and other forms of organised crime in the White Paper XSecure Borders, Safe Haven" published earlier this year. This approach encompasses new legislation to criminalise trafficking. The Nationality Immigration and Asylum (NIA) Bill currently before Parliament creates an offence of trafficking for the purpose of controlling someone through prostitution, with a tough maximum sentence of 14 years. This measure will tackle the worst forms of exploitation, pending the introduction of comprehensive legislation that will cover trafficking for the purposes of both labour and sexual exploitation.
We are working to tackle the criminal networks involved in people trafficking through Reflex, the multi-agency response to organised immigration crime. Reflex has co-ordinated intelligence on the scale and has assisted with planning operations such as Horsley, which dismantled a group trafficking Thai women into the UK.
We also recognise the importance of providing protection for the victims of trafficking in order to encourage them to co- operate with the authorities. We are developing support arrangements for victims in co-operation with the voluntary sector and plan to establish a pilot scheme next year. In conjunction with this we are developing a toolkit to raise awareness of the problem with police and immigration officers to help them to identify victims.
Finally, we are working with our European Union partners and with source and transit countries to build effective international action. We have established a network of liaison officers to build intelligence on routes and methods used by the traffickers. We are also working with the International Organisation for Migration to develop a programme for the safe voluntary return of trafficking victims.
Ms Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to tackle human trafficking into the United Kingdom. [78149]
Beverley Hughes: We set out a comprehensive approach to tackle trafficking and other forms of organised crime in the White Paper XSecure Borders, Safe Haven" published earlier this year. This approach encompasses new legislation to criminalise trafficking. The Nationality Immigration and Asylum (NIA) Bill currently before Parliament creates an offence of trafficking for the purpose of controlling someone through prostitution, with a tough maximum sentence of 14 years. This measure will tackle the worst forms of exploitation, pending the introduction of comprehensive legislation that will cover trafficking for the purposes of both labour and sexual exploitation.
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We are working to tackle the criminal networks involved in people trafficking through Reflex, the multi-agency response to organised immigration crime. Its remit is to co-ordinate operations against organised immigration crime and to develop the intelligence and strategic planning to underpin them.
We also recognise the importance of providing protection for the victims of trafficking in order to encourage them to co- operate with the authorities. We are developing support arrangements for victims in co-operation with the voluntary sector and plan to establish a pilot scheme next year, in conjunction with this we are developing a toolkit to raise awareness of the problem with police and immigration officers to help them to treat victims compassionately.
Finally, we are working with our European Union partners and with source and transit countries to build effective international action. We have established a network of liaison officers to build intelligence on routes and methods used by the traffickers. We are also working with the International Organisation for Migration to develop a programme for the safe voluntary return of trafficking victims.
Police Arrests (Chorley)
Mr. Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been arrested in the Chorley constituency in each of the last three years. [77765]
Mr. Denham: Information on the number of arrests for notifiable offences is collected centrally at police force area level only. Available information shows that in 1999–2000 there were 37,535 arrests for notifiable offences within the Lancashire police force area and in 2000–01 (latest available) 36,998. Information for earlier years is not available on a consistent basis. Figures for 2001–02 will be available in due course.
Police Formula
Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations his Department has made to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in respect of its preferred outcome for the police formula under the Formula Grant Distribution Consultation. [78508]
Mr. Denham [holding answer 30 October 2002]: The Home Department has regular discussions with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on a number of issues including the Local Government Finance Formula Grant Distribution.
Police Numbers
Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are in (a) Lancashire, (b) the north-west of England and (c) Wales. [77634]
Mr. Denham: The information requested is set out in the table.
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| Force/region | Police strength as at March 2002 | Civilian support staff as at 31 March 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 3,304 | 1,442 |
| North West | 17,804 | 7,624 |
| Wales | 7,194 | 3,109 |
Source:
Home Office Statistical Bulletin—Police Service Strength 31 March 2002.
Lancashire constabulary is at record levels of police officers.
Police Officers
Mr. Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers have been employed by (a) Avon and Somerset constabulary and (b) West Somerset division in each of the 10 years for which figures are available. [77760]
Mr. Denham: The information requested for Avon and Somerset constabulary is set out in the table. Data for individual divisions/basic command units is not collected centrally. By March 2002 Avon and Somerset constabulary had a record number of police officers.
| Year as at 31 March | Police officer strength | Civilian support staff |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 3,081 | 899 |
| 1993 | 3,068 | 1,171 |
| 1994 | 3,033 | 1,195 |
| 1995 | 3,000 | 1,204 |
| 1996 | 2,981 | 1,213 |
| 1997 | 2,989 | 1,438 |
| 1998 | 2,976 | 1,393 |
| 1999 | 2,999 | 1,424 |
| 2000 | 2,934 | 1,436 |
| 2001 | 2,994 | 1,452 |
| 2002 | 3,096 | 1,611 |
Source:
Home Office Statistical Bulletins(Police Service Strength 1997—2002. Home Office historical data 1992–96.
Police Staff
Mr. Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many non-operational staff are employed by the police in (a) Lancashire, (b) the North West of England and (c) Wales. [77636]
Mr. Denham: Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) has provided the figures set out in the table for the 12 months ending 31 March 2002.
HMIC figures count staff according to the following primary roles (a role that takes up more than half of a person's time):
- Operational: any member of staff, including covert staff, whose primary role is to directly deliver the overarching aims of the Police Service;
- Operational Support; any member of staff whose primary role is to support the delivery of the overarching aims of the Police Service; and
- Organisational Support: any member of staff whose primary role is to service the internal needs of the organisation.
The table shows the total of Operational Support and Organisational Support staff.
4 Nov 2002 : Column 111W
| Force/area | Non-operational police officers | Non-operational civilian support staff |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire Constabulary | 233 | 903 |
| North West Region | 1,413 | 6,276 |
| Wales | 526 | 2,445 |
Police Training
Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives to chief constables about the possibility of police forces being (a) prosecuted and (b) sued for the consequences of insufficient health and safety training of their officers involved in various policing situations. [77487]
Mr. Denham: Home Office Circular 33/1997 advises Chief Officers on their duties under the Police (Health and Safety) Act 1997. Annex A refers to the legal liability of Chief Officers.
Policing (Rural Areas)
Miss McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on policing in rural areas. [75893]
Mr. Denham: Support for the police service in both rural and urban areas continues to be a key element of this Government's policy. We now have the highest levels of police officers since records began in 1921 (129,603).
Last year we provided an extra #30 million through the Rural Policing Fund to tackle problems faced in the 31 more rural police areas. This is being paid again this year.
The Police Authority and the Chief Officer may decide how to spend this additional money for the benefit of rural communities. It may be used to fund additional officers. Some police authorities have used the money to buy and operate mobile police stations to provide an enhanced police presence in remote areas.
Police numbers in the rural areas have increased significantly. At 31 March 2002 there were 60,401 officers in the 31 more rural forces. This represents an increase of 2.6 per cent. over March 2001 and 4.9 per cent. over March 2000.
Police forces can also employ Community Support Officers (CSO's) to provide additional support in rural communities. 19 of the 27 successful bids on the new CSO Fund were from the 31 more rural forces and they will receive between them #3.9 million this year. CSOs will provide a visible police presence and will have a vital role to play in support of the police in reducing the fear of crime, increasing public safety and tackling anti-social behaviour.
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