MPs Debate Highlights 'Drastic Shortage' of experienced police

3.03.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 31st Mar 2003

Vincent Cable, MP, secured a debate in parliament this week to highlight the growing crisis in policing in London and the SE caused by the preponderance of raw recruits and the dwindling number of experienced officers.

The majority of front line officers patrolling the local streets are now likely to be probationers with under two years experience,

while experienced officers invariably leave the force at 50 even if fully fit and active.

Vincent Cable told the House of Commons that: "there is an issue of quality as well as quantity. It is good that more young policemen are being recruited. But it is a terrible waste when years of experience is thrown away. "

"More mistakes are made with detection, arrests and "

"prosecutions. And there isn't the same respect on the street".

Vincent Cable blamed what he called "absurd, outdated and inflexible pension arrangements and a rigid unbusinesslike approach by the Home Office that has been slow to take advantage of the willingness of older officers to come back to work on a contract basis".

"At present, whenever there is an emergency - like the present worry over terrorism - or a major enquiry like the Hampton murder, the Soham disappearances or the Damiola Taylor murder - large numbers of officers are pulled off other duties when the flexible use of retired officers working on a temporary basis could prevent this. "

"I understand that there are around 20,000 retired officers with the relevant experience in their early fifties many of whom would welcome the chance to do serious police work again".