Policing in Crisis

Policing in Greater Manchester in in crisis; the office of Mayor is politically impotent and now taking the blame for the Conservative government's cuts.

Liberal Democrat spokesperson on Crime and Disorder, Jackie Pearcey, told Focus "City Mayors were introduced to allay calls for regional devolution, but what they are turning out to be is the Aunt Sallies of modern Britain taking all the criticism when things go wrong but with no power to raise funds or change laws."

"This Conservative government continues to cut police funding, they are soft on crime, soft on the causes of crime" Jackie added.

Jackie's remarks followed an observation by Greater Manchester's Chief Constable, Ian Hopkins, that when it comes to crimes such as car break ins and bicycle theft "We haven't got enough officers to deal with that."

GMP has lost 2,000 officers since the Conservative cuts started to bite and, according to the Chief Constable, crime is now having to be so severely prioritised that many people would be surprised by the ruthlessness employed in that process. This is despite Greater Manchester's Labour Mayor adding a substantial precept to the Council Tax bills of every citizen in the metropolis.

Jackie added that "The simple truth is that we need real power, and that includes tax raising powers and legislative powers, transferred from Westminster to the North of England if we are ever to start tackling the policing needs of our communities."

Only the Liberal Democrats are committed to take back power from Westminster to the North, and only the Liberal Democrats will deliver the real devolution the North needs in order to tackle crime and disorder.

Please complete our crime and disorder survey HERE!