"Greater Manchester Police get a raw deal" - Stunell

3.35.57pm GMT Wed 24th Jan 2007

In a heated debate yesterday in the House of Commons, Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell attacked the Government for underfunding Greater Manchester's police force. He told Parliament how lack of funding has forced cuts of 216 bobbies on the beat this year, and pushed front line police officers to transfer to back office jobs.

Mr Stunell told the Police Minister:

"The Home Office's own assessment is that Greater Manchester police should have more funding and they are prevented from getting it only by the crazy grant and damping rules, which mean that money is being withheld.

"Police officers have been cut and now backroom jobs are being taken by police officers who, in my judgment, should be on the front line.

"The police presence in my constituency is not sufficient.

"What damages the quality of life of my constituents is low-level crime and antisocial behaviour. What enrages them is when they cannot get through on the police telephone number or, if they do get through, when they get no response. Even when my constituents get a response, they are treated not exactly casually, but not as a major priority.

"I hope that the Minister will assure me that the police will have the resources they need to deliver the service that my constituents want." ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The full debate can be read at:

http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070123/halltext/70123h0004.htm#07012336000479

2. Mr Stunell's campaign for fair funding for Greater Manchester Police Force ties into the national Liberal Democrat We Can Cut Crime Campaign. For more details, please see www.wecancutcrime.org