House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 7 Jun 2005 (pt 18)

7 Jun 2005 : Column 512W—continued

Europol

Mr. Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the causal requirement for Council Decision 2005/169/EC, adding Israel to the list of states with which the Director of Europol may conduct negotiations. [493]

Andy Burnham: The Europol Convention provides for Europol to establish and maintain relations with third states where this is necessary for Europol to perform its functions as described in the Convention. The rules governing these relations provide for Europol to conclude agreements to, in particular, exchange liaison officers and share information. Any agreement to share personal data would be subject to an opinion of the independent Joint Supervisory Body established by the Convention. This Council Decision, of 24 February 2005, adds Israel to the list of states with which the Director of Europol may enter into negotiations. The Government considers the negotiation of a co-operation agreement with Israel to be a useful step in the fight against serious and organised cross-border crime.

Football Banning Orders

Mr. Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many football banning orders are in place; and how many of these prevent the person from travelling abroad to watch football matches. [1315]

Paul Goggins: As at 25 May 2005 there were 2,982 persons subject to football banning orders. In accordance with their banning order conditions, all of these individuals are prohibited from attending regulated football matches played at home and overseas.

Happy Slapping

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps the Government are taking to tackle the practice known as happy slapping. [1143]

Hazel Blears: There are a number of offences which cover the practice of happy slapping". These include common assault and battery where one person recklessly or intentionally causes another person to fear immediate violence or to sustain unlawful personal violence, plus a range of offences where actual injury is caused. Maximum penalties range from six months' imprisonment for common assault up to life for wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. The Government take the issue of violent crime and its impact on people's lives very seriously. Even though the British Crime Survey shows that violent crime has fallen by 26 per cent. since 1997, it fully recognises public concern and is taking forward several initiatives to tackle violent crime in all its forms and make the country as safe as possible for law-abiding citizens. In particular, the Government will shortly introduce the Violent Crime Reduction Bill which will target irresponsible drinking, imitation firearms and knives.

Householders (Police Guidance)

Mr. Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the

7 Jun 2005 : Column 513W

police in the use of reasonable force by householders defending themselves, others or property from intruders. [1366]

Hazel Blears: The Crown Prosecution Service and the Association of Chief Police Officers issued guidance in February 2005 which sets out in plain language what householders' rights are and the level of force that they can use if faced with an intruder in their home. In supporting this, the Home Office has issued general guidance which is contained in our Guide to Home Security" and Be Safe, Be Secure" leaflets and on the Crime Reduction website www.crimereduction.gov.uk.

Identity Cards

Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the contribution identity cards may make to the prevention of terrorist attacks on the UK. [1269]

Mr. McNulty: Dialogue has been ongoing with the security services in relation to the effectiveness of the proposed identity card. The security services have said that an ID card will help in tackling terrorism. The Security Service have stated that a card scheme would disrupt the use of false identities by terrorist organisations, for example in money laundering and organised crime. We know that at least one-third of terrorist suspects make use of false identities. An ID card will reduce the opportunity for those facilitating terrorist and organised criminals to operate using multiple identities. The scheme would also be a useful tool in helping to monitor and disrupt the support activities of terrorist networks.

Identity Theft

Derek Wyatt: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he has taken to ensure that police forces are trained to deal with cases of identity theft from mobile telephones. [1261]

Hazel Blears: [holding answer 6 June 2005]: The National Specialist Law Enforcement Centre (NSLEC), which is part of Centrex, is responsible for developing and delivering training for the police service to equip them to tackle high tech crime. Training courses are available at all levels, from new recruits through to specialist investigators. In addition, the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) has developed a National Mobile Phone Register to hold information on registered mobile phones, information on crime reports from police forces and information from the mobile phone industry's own lost or stolen list. About a third of forces are making use of this system and the unit is working to make the register available to all forces in England and Wales.

Kent County Council Act

Mr. Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had concerning the operation of the Kent County Council Act 2001; whether he has consulted with persons or

7 Jun 2005 : Column 514W

bodies representing traders in secondhand car parts, known as autojumbles on the operation of the Act; and if he will make a statement. [1631]

Hazel Blears: There have been no consultations by the Home Office on the Kent County Council Act. We are planning to consult on the licensing of secondhand traders later in the year. All interested parties will have the opportunity to participate.

Notting Hill Carnival

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total cost was of policing the Notting Hill Carnival in 2004. [1387]

Hazel Blears: The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis is responsible for the operational management of the force. I will ensure that he receives a copy of the question and replies to you directly in response to your concerns.

Police

Mr. Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on steps taken by his Department to maintain the public's confidence in the police in rural areas. [1373]

Hazel Blears: The Government see neighbourhood policing as central to further reducing crime and people's fear of crime and increasing public trust and confidence in policing. The Government have made a commitment that by 2008, every area in England and Wales will benefit from dedicated neighbourhood policing teams which will be led by police officers and involve Special Constables, Community Support Officers, volunteers and neighbourhood wardens among others. These teams will provide a visible, accessible and responsive police presence in rural and urban areas. By the end of 2005, every force in England and Wales will have a pathfinder area (in what are known as Basic Command Units). Forces will be able to develop local approaches to neighbourhood policing which are tailored to their local needs, including those for rural areas. New measures have been introduced to the policing performance assessment framework which report on customer satisfaction with the services delivered by the police and public confidence in the police in the local area.

Mr. Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there are in the London borough of Hammersmith and Fulham; and how many there were in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001. [2100]

Hazel Blears: Prior to 31 March 2002, data on the number of police officers were collected at police force area level only. The number of police officers in Hammersmith and Fulham on 31 March 2004 was 516.

Mr. Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to re-introduce police foot patrols in Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement. [757]

7 Jun 2005 : Column 515W

Hazel Blears: Foot patrols in Hertfordshire are an operational matter for the chief constable. However, the Government have committed to ensuring that every community in England and Wales benefits from neighbourhood policing by 2008. This will ensure that every area has dedicated, visible, accessible and responsive neighbourhood policing teams. Hertfordshire are currently moving towards a system of neighbourhood policing.

Mr. Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average age of a police officer was in (a) 1995, (b) 2000 and (c) 2005. [131]

Hazel Blears: Statistics on the age of police officers were collected annually for the first time as at 31 March 2003 but only in age groups. The latest available data show that, of the 140,070 officers in post in England and

7 Jun 2005 : Column 516W

Wales police forces on 31 March 2004, 14,148 (or 10 per cent.) were aged 25 or under; 75,309 (or 54 per cent.) were aged 26 to 40; 50,028 (or 36 per cent.) were aged 41 to 55; and 585 (or 0.4 per cent.) were over 55.

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much total Government grant was given to each police force in England and Wales in each year from 1997–98 to 2005–06; and what the per capita allocation was in each case. [370]

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the tables. Government funding for police authorities is chiefly allocated using a funding formula that distributes resources on the basis of relative policing need. The formula is currently being reviewed to ensure it remains up to date. Funding is not, and never has been, distributed on a per capita basis.
Government grant funding⁽¹⁶⁾per head of population⁽¹⁷⁾

£

Force 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06⁽¹⁸⁾

Avon and Somerset 94.52 96.85 97.60 101.29 112.31 110.22 117.39 120.77 125.49

Bedfordshire⁽¹⁹⁾ 95.82 96.93 95.42 99.91 107.94 115.13 117.69 120.44 125.62

Cambridgeshire⁽¹⁹⁾ 84.24 87.30 89.35 92.80 103.72 100.6 111.81 116.00 118.97

Cheshire 88.91 91.34 95.57 100.23 106.51 108.87 120.31 120.39 123.62

Cleveland 122.58 132.06 134.19 140.03 149.03 158.15 168.44 175.11 177.98

Cumbria 105.43 106.94 108.60 113.77 123.88 125.25 130.76 135.46 141.44

Derbyshire 88.59 91.52 94.26 95.21 106.24 105.08 112.59 116.26 119.64

Devon and Cornwall 88.03 94.04 96.17 100.10 109.74 109.40 113.28 116.67 120.96

Dorset 81.70 85.94 88.70 87.33 94.50 93.65 98.53 100.74 104.65

Durham 108.52 117.57 123.08 129.27 137.27 138.87 149.86 154.87 161.61

Dyfed-Powys 89.53 91.34 91.32 96.95 110.74 111.64 114.57 118.27 121.54

Essex⁽¹⁹⁾ 90.59 88.26 90.52 92.21 98.03 101.92 106.25 108.17 112.77

Gloucestershire 93.57 94.74 94.35 97.93 107.57 107.25 112.38 115.68 120.93

Greater Manchester 125.21 129.03 132.87 137.74 153.33 152.00 170.22 173.81 179.98

Gwent 102.95 106.10 111.61 115.73 126.18 129.56 138.57 142.41 147.54

Hampshire⁽¹⁹⁾ 87.91 92.20 94.15 97.52 104.24 107.44 117.24 116.75 119.88

Hertfordshire⁽¹⁹⁾ 90.49 91.73 97.52 94.07 101.20 101.12 106.09 109.56 114.00

Humberside 108.87 114.29 114.32 120.40 129.41 128.70 139.33 143.30 147.74

Kent⁽¹⁹⁾ 96.07 99.44 100.23 105.36 114.39 115.83 127.30 126.86 130.45

Lancashire 104.63 109.53 110.95 118.32 130.73 127.88 137.07 141.25 146.92

Leicestershire 92.34 93.20 97.15 100.26 110.95 109.14 117.60 120.66 126.77

Lincolnshire 88.35 84.49 88.14 94.19 97.01 103.85 103.26 105.18 108.04

Merseyside 150.14 152.59 154.54 160.78 170.52 180.66 195.25 201.12 206.87

Metropolitan⁽¹⁹⁾ 211.79 212.42 213.96 227.70 243.7 261.46 282.32 286.29 300.33

Norfolk 91.37 91.84 90.65 95.41 103.19 106.33 115.66 115.34 118.40

Northamptonshire 87.97 90.37 91.62 96.41 102.33 102.91 113.48 112.38 117.23

Northumbria 126.11 134.98 138.05 140.95 155.45 153.22 166.88 174.22 181.36

North Wales 95.01 96.33 98.35 102.77 112.54 119.44 123.90 126.40 131.70

North Yorkshire 85.44 90.25 89.77 90.97 101.44 98.66 103.85 106.81 110.74

Nottinghamshire 106.07 108.74 114.03 116.53 120.55 127.38 133.93 138.00 141.71

South Wales 115.87 117.36 119.86 123.00 132.89 135.82 141.69 151.08 156.51

South Yorkshire 111.96 115.56 120.09 124.84 131.32 136.97 151.74 153.79 158.25

Staffordshire 95.05 94.50 94.51 96.45 102.10 104.48 114.46 115.22 119.66

Suffolk 81.66 84.42 89.14 91.93 102.94 100.07 107.25 109.52 112.80

Surrey⁽¹⁹⁾ 101.66 89.09 98.45 89.29 86.54 85.61 93.18 94.02 95.76

Sussex⁽¹⁹⁾ 90.44 93.48 95.87 96.93 102.97 107.57 113.67 116.26 120.70

Thames Valley⁽¹⁹⁾ 85.97 89.94 90.48 93.06 103.42 104.22 109.72 113.04 116.87

Warwickshire 86.87 86.31 87.33 96.42 115.96 101.02 110.78 108.99 111.49

West Mercia 82.23 82.82 86.62 91.42 108.57 97.88 101.72 103.67 107.12

West Midlands 122.96 129.04 132.80 138.23 146.43 151.75 171.37 171.89 181.53

West Yorkshire 115.77 119.90 122.66 129.50 136.76 142.78 152.91 157.36 163.55

Wiltshire 90.79 91.08 91.08 95.26 103.05 102.92 106.93 109.35 112.89

⁽¹⁶⁾ Government funding includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM/Welsh Assembly Government Revenue Support Grant and National Non-Domestic Rates). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, Community Support Officer funding (including, for 2004–05 and 2005–06, Round 1 of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund), Airwave, DNA Expansion Programme, Counter Terrorism funding (MPS only), Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments and capital grants.
⁽¹⁷⁾ Source for resident population figures: Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Welsh
Assembly Government as used in the calculation of the police funding settlements.
⁽¹⁸⁾ Estimates for 2005–06.
⁽¹⁹⁾ The Home Office also funds 75 per cent. of the cost of the London and South East allowances for all qualifying officers. These figures are not included within the totals.

7 Jun 2005 : Column 517W

Total government grants⁽²⁰⁾

£ million

Police authority 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02⁽²¹⁾ 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06⁽²²⁾

Avon and Somerset 138.3 142.1 144.3 150.8 168.6 166.1 174.1 180.0 189.3

Bedfordshire⁽²³⁾ 52.3 53.2 52.7 55.6 60.7 65.1 66.7 68.8 72.1

Cambridgeshire⁽²³⁾ 58.5 61.4 63.6 66.8 75.2 73.5 79.4 83.1 86.8

Cheshire 87.0 89.5 93.9 98.7 104.7 107.2 118.3 118.7 122.4

Cleveland 68.5 73.6 74.6 77.9 82.9 88.0 91.2 94.8 98.7

Cumbria 51.7 52.5 53.4 56.1 60.9 61.5 63.8 66.2 69.3

Derbyshire 84.9 88.0 91.0 92.4 103.5 102.7 107.7 111.9 116.8

Devon and Cornwall 135.7 145.1 149.2 156.0 172.2 173.6 178.8 185.6 193.7

Dorset 55.4 58.6 61.0 60.4 65.4 65.4 68.3 70.1 73.2

Durham 65.9 71.5 74.9 78.6 83.3 84.3 88.7 91.4 95.7

Dyfed-Powys 42.6 43.5 43.6 46.5 53.2 53.9 55.9 58.4 60.6

Essex⁽²³⁾ 136.4 133.6 137.9 148.1 158.6 166.0 171.7 175.5 183.8

Gloucestershire 51.7 52.7 52.8 54.6 60.4 60.6 63.5 65.6 68.7

Greater Manchester 322.8 332.3 341.7 355.0 395.1 393.0 422.6 436.9 455.5

Gwent 57.3 59.0 62.2 64.5 70.2 72.2 76.6 78.9 81.9

Hampshire⁽²³⁾ 153.1 161.6 165.9 172.7 185.7 191.9 208.5 208.9 215.4

Hertfordshire⁽²³⁾ 77.7 79.2 85.0 97.2 105.6 106.3 109.8 113.5 118.7

Humberside 96.8 101.3 101.1 106.3 114.1 113.4 121.1 124.8 130.3

Kent⁽²³⁾ 149.0 154.9 157.0 165.9 181.6 185.1 201.2 201.6 208.7

Lancashire 149.2 156.0 158.1 168.8 186.4 182.8 194.0 200.9 210.0

Leicestershire 85.2 86.4 90.3 93.1 103.7 102.4 108.7 112.7 119.0

Lincolnshire 54.1 52.0 54.6 58.7 61.0 65.9 66.9 69.2 71.9

Merseyside 214.3 216.7 218.4 226.6 239.3 253.5 265.9 273.7 282.2

Metropolitan⁽²³⁾ 1,587.5 1,606.8 1,629.3 1,635.4 1,773.9 1,676.3 2,027.3 2,103.6 2,216.4

Norfolk 70.6 71.4 71.0 75.4 82.2 85.5 92.3 92.6 96.0

Northamptonshire 52.7 54.6 55.9 59.4 63.6 64.4 71.5 71.7 75.3

Northumbria 181.4 193.6 197.4 200.9 220.5 216.7 230.9 240.8 252.5

North Wales 62.4 63.2 64.5 67.6 74.0 78.9 82.2 84.5 88.3

North Yorkshire 62.4 66.3 66.2 67.5 75.8 74.4 78.0 80.7 84.1

Nottinghamshire 109.5 112.2 117.7 120.2 124.5 131.4 136.0 141.2 145.9

South Wales 142.3 144.6 148.2 152.4 165.0 169.2 169.8 181.6 189.9

South Yorkshire 146.0 150.8 156.7 162.8 171.0 178.3 192.2 194.9 201.4

Staffordshire 100.4 99.8 100.2 102.4 108.3 110.7 119.9 120.7 125.5

Suffolk 53.6 55.9 59.4 61.7 69.4 68.0 71.8 73.6 76.5

Surrey⁽²³⁾ 78.8 69.2 77.2 94.7 93.3 92.5 98.7 99.7 101.9

Sussex⁽²³⁾ 132.2 137.6 142.6 145.3 156.0 163.8 170.0 174.4 181.8

Thames Valley⁽²³⁾ 176.0 185.8 188.7 195.3 218.9 221.8 229.6 237.3 246.9

Warwickshire 43.3 43.2 44.0 48.9 58.9 51.5 56.1 55.9 57.9

West Mercia 91.6 92.6 97.6 103.9 123.8 112.2 117.9 121.1 125.7

West Midlands 324.3 341.0 349.3 363.1 384.6 397.4 437.7 442.8 468.1

West Yorkshire 243.8 252.9 258.8 273.7 289.3 302.9 318.1 328.8 342.8

Wiltshire 53.6 54.0 54.6 57.7 62.9 63.1 65.6 67.5 70.2

⁽²⁰⁾ Total government grants includes general grant (Home Office police grant, ODPM/Welsh Assembly Government Revenue Support Grant and National Non- Domestic Rates). It also includes specific grants: Crime Fighting Fund, Rural Policing Fund, Basic Command Unit funding, Community Support Officers funding (including for 2004–05 and 2005–06, Round 1 of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund), Airwave, DNA Expansion Programme, Counter Terrorism funding (MPS only), Street Crime Initiative, Special Priority Payments and capital grants.
⁽²¹⁾ Figures for 2001–02 are not directly comparable with 2002–03 due to the change in funding arrangements of NCS/NCIS.
3 Estimates for 2005–06.
4 The Home Office also funds 75 per cent. of the cost of the London and South East allowances for all qualifying officers. These figures are not included within the totals.

£
Force	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06⁽¹⁸⁾
Avon and Somerset	94.52	96.85	97.60	101.29	112.31	110.22	117.39	120.77	125.49
Bedfordshire⁽¹⁹⁾	95.82	96.93	95.42	99.91	107.94	115.13	117.69	120.44	125.62
Cambridgeshire⁽¹⁹⁾	84.24	87.30	89.35	92.80	103.72	100.6	111.81	116.00	118.97
Cheshire	88.91	91.34	95.57	100.23	106.51	108.87	120.31	120.39	123.62
Cleveland	122.58	132.06	134.19	140.03	149.03	158.15	168.44	175.11	177.98
Cumbria	105.43	106.94	108.60	113.77	123.88	125.25	130.76	135.46	141.44
Derbyshire	88.59	91.52	94.26	95.21	106.24	105.08	112.59	116.26	119.64
Devon and Cornwall	88.03	94.04	96.17	100.10	109.74	109.40	113.28	116.67	120.96
Dorset	81.70	85.94	88.70	87.33	94.50	93.65	98.53	100.74	104.65
Durham	108.52	117.57	123.08	129.27	137.27	138.87	149.86	154.87	161.61
Dyfed-Powys	89.53	91.34	91.32	96.95	110.74	111.64	114.57	118.27	121.54
Essex⁽¹⁹⁾	90.59	88.26	90.52	92.21	98.03	101.92	106.25	108.17	112.77
Gloucestershire	93.57	94.74	94.35	97.93	107.57	107.25	112.38	115.68	120.93
Greater Manchester	125.21	129.03	132.87	137.74	153.33	152.00	170.22	173.81	179.98
Gwent	102.95	106.10	111.61	115.73	126.18	129.56	138.57	142.41	147.54
Hampshire⁽¹⁹⁾	87.91	92.20	94.15	97.52	104.24	107.44	117.24	116.75	119.88
Hertfordshire⁽¹⁹⁾	90.49	91.73	97.52	94.07	101.20	101.12	106.09	109.56	114.00
Humberside	108.87	114.29	114.32	120.40	129.41	128.70	139.33	143.30	147.74
Kent⁽¹⁹⁾	96.07	99.44	100.23	105.36	114.39	115.83	127.30	126.86	130.45
Lancashire	104.63	109.53	110.95	118.32	130.73	127.88	137.07	141.25	146.92
Leicestershire	92.34	93.20	97.15	100.26	110.95	109.14	117.60	120.66	126.77
Lincolnshire	88.35	84.49	88.14	94.19	97.01	103.85	103.26	105.18	108.04
Merseyside	150.14	152.59	154.54	160.78	170.52	180.66	195.25	201.12	206.87
Metropolitan⁽¹⁹⁾	211.79	212.42	213.96	227.70	243.7	261.46	282.32	286.29	300.33
Norfolk	91.37	91.84	90.65	95.41	103.19	106.33	115.66	115.34	118.40
Northamptonshire	87.97	90.37	91.62	96.41	102.33	102.91	113.48	112.38	117.23
Northumbria	126.11	134.98	138.05	140.95	155.45	153.22	166.88	174.22	181.36
North Wales	95.01	96.33	98.35	102.77	112.54	119.44	123.90	126.40	131.70
North Yorkshire	85.44	90.25	89.77	90.97	101.44	98.66	103.85	106.81	110.74
Nottinghamshire	106.07	108.74	114.03	116.53	120.55	127.38	133.93	138.00	141.71
South Wales	115.87	117.36	119.86	123.00	132.89	135.82	141.69	151.08	156.51
South Yorkshire	111.96	115.56	120.09	124.84	131.32	136.97	151.74	153.79	158.25
Staffordshire	95.05	94.50	94.51	96.45	102.10	104.48	114.46	115.22	119.66
Suffolk	81.66	84.42	89.14	91.93	102.94	100.07	107.25	109.52	112.80
Surrey⁽¹⁹⁾	101.66	89.09	98.45	89.29	86.54	85.61	93.18	94.02	95.76
Sussex⁽¹⁹⁾	90.44	93.48	95.87	96.93	102.97	107.57	113.67	116.26	120.70
Thames Valley⁽¹⁹⁾	85.97	89.94	90.48	93.06	103.42	104.22	109.72	113.04	116.87
Warwickshire	86.87	86.31	87.33	96.42	115.96	101.02	110.78	108.99	111.49
West Mercia	82.23	82.82	86.62	91.42	108.57	97.88	101.72	103.67	107.12
West Midlands	122.96	129.04	132.80	138.23	146.43	151.75	171.37	171.89	181.53
West Yorkshire	115.77	119.90	122.66	129.50	136.76	142.78	152.91	157.36	163.55
Wiltshire	90.79	91.08	91.08	95.26	103.05	102.92	106.93	109.35	112.89

£ million
Police authority	1997–98	1998–99	1999–2000	2000–01	2001–02⁽²¹⁾	2002–03	2003–04	2004–05	2005–06⁽²²⁾
Avon and Somerset	138.3	142.1	144.3	150.8	168.6	166.1	174.1	180.0	189.3
Bedfordshire⁽²³⁾	52.3	53.2	52.7	55.6	60.7	65.1	66.7	68.8	72.1
Cambridgeshire⁽²³⁾	58.5	61.4	63.6	66.8	75.2	73.5	79.4	83.1	86.8
Cheshire	87.0	89.5	93.9	98.7	104.7	107.2	118.3	118.7	122.4
Cleveland	68.5	73.6	74.6	77.9	82.9	88.0	91.2	94.8	98.7
Cumbria	51.7	52.5	53.4	56.1	60.9	61.5	63.8	66.2	69.3
Derbyshire	84.9	88.0	91.0	92.4	103.5	102.7	107.7	111.9	116.8
Devon and Cornwall	135.7	145.1	149.2	156.0	172.2	173.6	178.8	185.6	193.7
Dorset	55.4	58.6	61.0	60.4	65.4	65.4	68.3	70.1	73.2
Durham	65.9	71.5	74.9	78.6	83.3	84.3	88.7	91.4	95.7
Dyfed-Powys	42.6	43.5	43.6	46.5	53.2	53.9	55.9	58.4	60.6
Essex⁽²³⁾	136.4	133.6	137.9	148.1	158.6	166.0	171.7	175.5	183.8
Gloucestershire	51.7	52.7	52.8	54.6	60.4	60.6	63.5	65.6	68.7
Greater Manchester	322.8	332.3	341.7	355.0	395.1	393.0	422.6	436.9	455.5
Gwent	57.3	59.0	62.2	64.5	70.2	72.2	76.6	78.9	81.9
Hampshire⁽²³⁾	153.1	161.6	165.9	172.7	185.7	191.9	208.5	208.9	215.4
Hertfordshire⁽²³⁾	77.7	79.2	85.0	97.2	105.6	106.3	109.8	113.5	118.7
Humberside	96.8	101.3	101.1	106.3	114.1	113.4	121.1	124.8	130.3
Kent⁽²³⁾	149.0	154.9	157.0	165.9	181.6	185.1	201.2	201.6	208.7
Lancashire	149.2	156.0	158.1	168.8	186.4	182.8	194.0	200.9	210.0
Leicestershire	85.2	86.4	90.3	93.1	103.7	102.4	108.7	112.7	119.0
Lincolnshire	54.1	52.0	54.6	58.7	61.0	65.9	66.9	69.2	71.9
Merseyside	214.3	216.7	218.4	226.6	239.3	253.5	265.9	273.7	282.2
Metropolitan⁽²³⁾	1,587.5	1,606.8	1,629.3	1,635.4	1,773.9	1,676.3	2,027.3	2,103.6	2,216.4
Norfolk	70.6	71.4	71.0	75.4	82.2	85.5	92.3	92.6	96.0
Northamptonshire	52.7	54.6	55.9	59.4	63.6	64.4	71.5	71.7	75.3
Northumbria	181.4	193.6	197.4	200.9	220.5	216.7	230.9	240.8	252.5
North Wales	62.4	63.2	64.5	67.6	74.0	78.9	82.2	84.5	88.3
North Yorkshire	62.4	66.3	66.2	67.5	75.8	74.4	78.0	80.7	84.1
Nottinghamshire	109.5	112.2	117.7	120.2	124.5	131.4	136.0	141.2	145.9
South Wales	142.3	144.6	148.2	152.4	165.0	169.2	169.8	181.6	189.9
South Yorkshire	146.0	150.8	156.7	162.8	171.0	178.3	192.2	194.9	201.4
Staffordshire	100.4	99.8	100.2	102.4	108.3	110.7	119.9	120.7	125.5
Suffolk	53.6	55.9	59.4	61.7	69.4	68.0	71.8	73.6	76.5
Surrey⁽²³⁾	78.8	69.2	77.2	94.7	93.3	92.5	98.7	99.7	101.9
Sussex⁽²³⁾	132.2	137.6	142.6	145.3	156.0	163.8	170.0	174.4	181.8
Thames Valley⁽²³⁾	176.0	185.8	188.7	195.3	218.9	221.8	229.6	237.3	246.9
Warwickshire	43.3	43.2	44.0	48.9	58.9	51.5	56.1	55.9	57.9
West Mercia	91.6	92.6	97.6	103.9	123.8	112.2	117.9	121.1	125.7
West Midlands	324.3	341.0	349.3	363.1	384.6	397.4	437.7	442.8	468.1
West Yorkshire	243.8	252.9	258.8	273.7	289.3	302.9	318.1	328.8	342.8
Wiltshire	53.6	54.0	54.6	57.7	62.9	63.1	65.6	67.5	70.2

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers, excluding support staff and community support officers, were employed in each police authority in England and Wales

7 Jun 2005 : Column 518W

in each year since 1997. [373]

Hazel Blears: The information requested is given in the following table.
Police strength by police force full-time equivalents

March
September

England and Wales 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 ⁽²²⁾2003 ⁽²²⁾2004 ⁽²²⁾2004

Avon and Somerset 2,989 2,976 2,999 2,934 2,994 3,096 3,149 3,401 3,399

Bedfordshire 1,094 1,079 1,041 1,028 1,036 1,069 1,106 1,181 1,204

Cambridgeshire 1,302 1,291 1,274 1,237 1,296 1,362 1,384 1,400 1,413

Cheshire 2,046 2,042 2,071 2,011 2,002 2,059 2,119 2,179 2,159

Cleveland 1,459 1,483 1,416 1,404 1,407 1,461 1,582 1,687 1,591

Cumbria 1,144 1,164 1,126 1,084 1,048 1,100 1,140 1,222 1,227

Derbyshire 1,791 1,772 1,759 1,777 1,823 1,848 2,003 2,070 2,055

Devon and Cornwall 2,865 2,962 2,887 2,841 2,934 3,053 3,202 3,298 3,310

Dorset 1,284 1,310 1,279 1,306 1,354 1,381 1,416 1,433 1,447

Durham 1,461 1,515 1,568 1,558 1,595 1,614 1,651 1,685 1,680

Essex 2,961 2,928 2,891 2,806 2,897 2,946 2,989 3,098 3,093

Gloucestershire 1,133 1,104 1,104 1,114 1,173 1,183 1,227 1,284 1,269

Greater Manchester 6,922 6,949 6,810 6,795 6,909 7,217 7,343 8,042 8,083

Hampshire 3,452 3,490 3,473 3,419 3,438 3,480 3,668 3,706 3,744

Hertfordshire 1,759 1,740 1,724 1,767 1,922 1,825 1,957 2,086 2,135

Humberside 2,045 2,021 1,974 1,932 1,917 2,058 2,105 2,213 2,243

Kent 3,260 3,251 3,201 3,204 3,319 3,355 3,487 3,576 3,578

Lancashire 3,247 3,257 3,245 3,179 3,255 3,304 3,339 3,550 3,544

Leicestershire 1,949 1,983 1,993 1,993 2,032 2,100 2,114 2,277 2,263

Lincolnshire 1,196 1,191 1,140 1,115 1,202 1,198 1,221 1,228 1,216

London, City of 859 825 778 732 703 764 808 853 875

Merseyside 4,230 4,216 4,211 4,085 4,081 4,125 4,099 4,122 4,257

Metropolitan Police 26,677 26,094 26,073 25,485 24,878 26,223 27,984 29,735 30,111

Norfolk 1,432 1,430 1,381 1,381 1,420 1,468 1,499 1,510 1,536

Northamptonshire 1,177 1,169 1,137 1,117 1,157 1,214 1,210 1,239 1,264

Northumbria 3,677 3,769 3,840 3,788 3,857 3,929 3,943 4,040 4,067

North Yorkshire 1,338 1,367 1,337 1,283 1,305 1,417 1,444 1,529 1,537

Nottinghamshire 2,323 2,323 2,225 2,204 2,275 2,330 2,411 2,484 2,526

South Yorkshire 3,159 3,182 3,168 3,163 3,197 3,199 3,183 3,278 3,315

Staffordshire 2,211 2,292 2,238 2,170 2,129 2,133 2,202 2,266 2,283

Suffolk 1,180 1,186 1,190 1,145 1,133 1,203 1,253 1,304 1,310

Surrey 1,620 1,608 1,662 1,785 2,066 1,992 1,906 1,913 1,894

Sussex 3,085 2,996 2,847 2,822 2,855 2,893 2,989 3,039 3,075

Thames Valley 3,695 3,776 3,748 3,740 3,703 3,762 3,833 4,034 4,160

Warwickshire 926 924 908 900 926 969 997 1,008 1,002

West Mercia 2,040 2,010 2,025 1,887 1,951 2,018 2,256 2,355 2,302

West Midlands 7,113 7,156 7,321 7,194 7,423 7,681 7,751 7,887 8,030

West Yorkshire 5,209 5,155 4,982 4,822 4,815 4,889 5,029 5,275 5,446

Wiltshire 1,154 1,156 1,151 1,118 1,120 1,157 1,158 1,217 1,213

Dyfed-Powys 1,005 1,002 1,026 1,040 1,055 1,132 1,149 1,167 1,172

Gwent 1,243 1,233 1,247 1,264 1,274 1,333 1,341 1,372 1,415

North Wales 1,369 1,396 1,391 1,403 1,444 1,506 1,539 1,603 1,601

South Wales 2,976 2,986 2,981 2,926 3,154 3,222 3,239 3,279 3,260

Total all forces 125,051 124,756 123,841 121,956 123,476 127,267 131,426 137,128 138,305

⁽²²⁾ All officers (FTE) less staff on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave (comparable with previously published figures)

7 Jun 2005 : Column 519W

	March	September
England and Wales	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	⁽²²⁾2003	⁽²²⁾2004	⁽²²⁾2004
Avon and Somerset	2,989	2,976	2,999	2,934	2,994	3,096	3,149	3,401	3,399
Bedfordshire	1,094	1,079	1,041	1,028	1,036	1,069	1,106	1,181	1,204
Cambridgeshire	1,302	1,291	1,274	1,237	1,296	1,362	1,384	1,400	1,413
Cheshire	2,046	2,042	2,071	2,011	2,002	2,059	2,119	2,179	2,159
Cleveland	1,459	1,483	1,416	1,404	1,407	1,461	1,582	1,687	1,591
Cumbria	1,144	1,164	1,126	1,084	1,048	1,100	1,140	1,222	1,227
Derbyshire	1,791	1,772	1,759	1,777	1,823	1,848	2,003	2,070	2,055
Devon and Cornwall	2,865	2,962	2,887	2,841	2,934	3,053	3,202	3,298	3,310
Dorset	1,284	1,310	1,279	1,306	1,354	1,381	1,416	1,433	1,447
Durham	1,461	1,515	1,568	1,558	1,595	1,614	1,651	1,685	1,680
Essex	2,961	2,928	2,891	2,806	2,897	2,946	2,989	3,098	3,093
Gloucestershire	1,133	1,104	1,104	1,114	1,173	1,183	1,227	1,284	1,269
Greater Manchester	6,922	6,949	6,810	6,795	6,909	7,217	7,343	8,042	8,083
Hampshire	3,452	3,490	3,473	3,419	3,438	3,480	3,668	3,706	3,744
Hertfordshire	1,759	1,740	1,724	1,767	1,922	1,825	1,957	2,086	2,135
Humberside	2,045	2,021	1,974	1,932	1,917	2,058	2,105	2,213	2,243
Kent	3,260	3,251	3,201	3,204	3,319	3,355	3,487	3,576	3,578
Lancashire	3,247	3,257	3,245	3,179	3,255	3,304	3,339	3,550	3,544
Leicestershire	1,949	1,983	1,993	1,993	2,032	2,100	2,114	2,277	2,263
Lincolnshire	1,196	1,191	1,140	1,115	1,202	1,198	1,221	1,228	1,216
London, City of	859	825	778	732	703	764	808	853	875
Merseyside	4,230	4,216	4,211	4,085	4,081	4,125	4,099	4,122	4,257
Metropolitan Police	26,677	26,094	26,073	25,485	24,878	26,223	27,984	29,735	30,111
Norfolk	1,432	1,430	1,381	1,381	1,420	1,468	1,499	1,510	1,536
Northamptonshire	1,177	1,169	1,137	1,117	1,157	1,214	1,210	1,239	1,264
Northumbria	3,677	3,769	3,840	3,788	3,857	3,929	3,943	4,040	4,067
North Yorkshire	1,338	1,367	1,337	1,283	1,305	1,417	1,444	1,529	1,537
Nottinghamshire	2,323	2,323	2,225	2,204	2,275	2,330	2,411	2,484	2,526
South Yorkshire	3,159	3,182	3,168	3,163	3,197	3,199	3,183	3,278	3,315
Staffordshire	2,211	2,292	2,238	2,170	2,129	2,133	2,202	2,266	2,283
Suffolk	1,180	1,186	1,190	1,145	1,133	1,203	1,253	1,304	1,310
Surrey	1,620	1,608	1,662	1,785	2,066	1,992	1,906	1,913	1,894
Sussex	3,085	2,996	2,847	2,822	2,855	2,893	2,989	3,039	3,075
Thames Valley	3,695	3,776	3,748	3,740	3,703	3,762	3,833	4,034	4,160
Warwickshire	926	924	908	900	926	969	997	1,008	1,002
West Mercia	2,040	2,010	2,025	1,887	1,951	2,018	2,256	2,355	2,302
West Midlands	7,113	7,156	7,321	7,194	7,423	7,681	7,751	7,887	8,030
West Yorkshire	5,209	5,155	4,982	4,822	4,815	4,889	5,029	5,275	5,446
Wiltshire	1,154	1,156	1,151	1,118	1,120	1,157	1,158	1,217	1,213
Dyfed-Powys	1,005	1,002	1,026	1,040	1,055	1,132	1,149	1,167	1,172
Gwent	1,243	1,233	1,247	1,264	1,274	1,333	1,341	1,372	1,415
North Wales	1,369	1,396	1,391	1,403	1,444	1,506	1,539	1,603	1,601
South Wales	2,976	2,986	2,981	2,926	3,154	3,222	3,239	3,279	3,260
Total all forces	125,051	124,756	123,841	121,956	123,476	127,267	131,426	137,128	138,305

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what obstacles there are to the retention of biometric data on the police national computer database. [1790]

Hazel Blears: There are no obstacles to the retention of biometric data. The Police National Computer (PNC) has markers that indicate if biometric data has been taken (fingerprints or DNA) primary biometric data, in the form of fingerprints, is held on the IDENT1 (previously NAFIS) service. DNA data is held on the DNA database, managed by the Forensic Science Service.

Mr. Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he plans to increase the numbers of full-time police officers over the next five years (a) in England and Wales and (b) in Norfolk. [1371]

Hazel Blears: In line with our manifesto commitment we will carry on funding the police service to enable it to continue to employ historically high numbers of police officers. There were 140,135 police officers in England and Wales at the end of September 2004 and 1,536 in the Norfolk constabulary There are 6,300 community support officers (CSO) as of 31 March 2005, including 69 in Norfolk. Our booklet Neighbourhood Policing: your police; your community; our commitment" (published in March 2005) set out plans for effective

7 Jun 2005 : Column 520W

neighbourhood policing over the period to 2008. This includes freeing up the equivalent of 12,000 police officers from back-office bureaucracy and our plans to provide funding to support an increase to 24,000 CSOs by 2008, through the Neighbourhood Policing Fund.

Mr. Fraser: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time police officers are serving in Norfolk. [1385]

Hazel Blears: The full-time equivalent police officer strength for Norfolk was 1,536 as at 30 September 2004.

Mr. Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers assigned to Chiltern Vale Police, broken down by rank, left Thames Valley Police for other police forces in (a) 2001, (b) 2002, (c) 2003 and (d) 2004; and if he will list those other police forces. [1517]

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

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