Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Eric Forth (Conservative). It was answered by Andy Burnham (Labour) on Monday, 23 May 2005 on behalf of the Home Office.

Police (Administrative Burden)

Question: What assessment he has made of the administrative burden for police personnel.

Answer: Making the best possible use of the record policing resources we have is central to building a more responsive and effective police service. Our drive to cut police bureaucracy has led to the scrapping of 7,700 unnecessary forms, more civilian staffing of backroom posts, and greater use of technology such as video identity parades. Taken together, those and other measures will free up the equivalent of 12,000 officers for the front line by 2008.

Secondary information