Police personnel statistics are collected at police force level on a full-time equivalent (FTE) basis. A breakdown below police force level to the level of basic command unit level (BCU) has been collected only since 2002-03. Preston falls within the BCU of Lancashire Central, where there were 13 less FTE officers in 2009 than in 2003, a fall of 3.4 per cent. Overall figures for Lancashire constabulary show an increase of 406 FTE officers or 12.5 per cent. since 1997.
Figures are as at 31 March in each given year. Figures at BCU level include officers on career break or maternity/paternity leave. Figures for Lancashire constabulary exclude these in order to provide a like-for-like comparison with 1997. Further breakdown is available in the annual “Police Service Strength” publication available on the Home Office website and the Library of the House.