To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment her Department has made of how representative each police service is of its community.

Diversity in policing as part of a modern, diverse society is absolutely essential as forces continue to cut crime. Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) are responsible for the totality of policing in their areas, including ensuring that community needs are met, and that forces secure the trust and confidence of the public.

Figures for police officers in post on 31 March 2013, broken down by gender and ethnicity, are published in the 'Police Workforce, England and Wales, 31 March 2013' statistical bulletin, which can be accessed using the following link, I am also placing a copy of this report in the House Library:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/police-workforce-england-and-wales-31-march-2013

PCCs and police forces should use this data to assess how representative the police workforce is of their local communities, and, where necessary and with the support of the College of Policing, take steps to make improvements. For example, the College of Policing has embarked on a major programme looking at recruitment, retention and progression of black and minority ethnic officers.