POLICE SHORTAGE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 50, 15 November 1946, Page 3

POLICE SHORTAGE

SIXTEEN THOUSAND MEN NEEDED

SERVICES COMBED FOR RECRUITS

Three missions that were sent to India and the Far East by the Home Office to comb the Services for police recruits have just reported back to headquarters—with 4000 volunteers between them. The men will be released from the Forces at once under the Class “B” scheme, given their gratuities and demobilisation outfits, and immediately be attested as police trainees in forces all over the country. It was hoped that the three missions—each headed by a Chief Constable—would produce at least the 16,000 men needed to bring Britain’s county and borough police forces up to their pre-war establishment of 64,000. Even when the 4000 have been trained the 'total strength of the police forces outside London will be only 53,000. In addition the Metropolitan police urgently need another ' 7500 men.

The missions were sent abroad after several recruiting drives had failed. “Several inducements” that were held out did not prove attractive enough. Since the end of the war police forces have shrunk alarmingly. The report of the Inspectors of Constabulary to the Home Office for the year ended September 29, 1945, just issued, says that the police forces will “continue to be stretched to their limits.” ■

The inspectors say that Police efficiency is bound to suffer if houses are not available, especially in rural areas, where a policeman’s house has to be, in ‘effect, the police station.