To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2009, Official Report, column 1093W, on police: health, how many people took police fitness tests in each of the last five years for which figures are available; and what results were (a) achieved and (b) achieved for dynamic strength and endurance in each year. (269260)

The available data are given in the tables placed in the House Library.

The Policing Green Paper announced that Sir David Normington, permanent secretary to the Home Office, would lead a review of the strategic data collection burden placed by the Home Office on police forces in England and Wales. Sir David’s report was published on 16 February.

Fitness tests data collection was one of the data streams cut. It was previously required by HMIC and recorded fitness test breakdown by gender, number of attempts, number taking the attempt and the fitness skill level tested. Given HMIC’s new mission after the publication of the Policing Green Paper, this data is no longer required by them. Forces have been informed not to provide the data in the 2009-10 annual data requirement notice thereby removing the burden on police support staff to collate and supply the data to the Home Office.