Police officers in England and Wales during 1959, 1970, 1997, 2003 and 2012
Published 8 April 2014
© Crown copyright 2014
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FOI release 30077.
Total number of police officers in England and Wales.
| As at | Number of police officers |
|---|---|
| 31 March 1959 | 71,692 |
| 31 March 1970 | 91,307 |
| 31 March 1997 | 125,051 |
| 31 March 2003 | 132,509 |
| 31 March 2012 | 134,100 |
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Figures for 1997, 2003 and 2012 are provided on a full-time equivalent basis and have been rounded to the nearest whole number. Figures for 2003 and 2012 include police officers on career breaks and maternity/paternity leave whilst the figure for 1997 excludes these officers.
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Figures for 1959 and 1970 were obtained from Home Office monthly returns of strength and vacancies. These monthly returns do not state whether the figures are on a full-time equivalent basis or whether they include officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave.