Police: Officer Numbers

Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate Excerpts

Tuesday 13th December 2011 Lords Chamber

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, first, I remind the noble Lord that we have a deficit and that must be tackled by seeking better value for money from every public service. That includes the police. There is no need for the noble Lord to make signs of that sort.

I accept that there has been a decline in police numbers, but there is no need to get fixated on this. At the same time, we have seen over the period that I mentioned—March 2010 to March 2011—a decline in recorded crime of 4 per cent.

[Lord Mackenzie of Framwellgate]

My Lords, will the Minister tell us the cost of appointing police and crime commissioners and how many front-line officers that would represent?

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, I have always accepted that there is a cost to appointing police and crime commissioners, but we believe they will bring accountability. Accountability will be good for that service, and we will get even better value for money.