9. To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals she has to increase the number of recruits from businesses to serve as special constables. (264803)

In August 2008, the Home Secretary announced a three-year, £2.25 million funding programme, for the National Policing Improvement Agency, to increase numbers of special constables in England and Wales, through the establishment of nine regional co-ordinators.

These will utilise and develop further the existing Employer Supported Policing programmes, including ShopWatch.