Have your say on the future of policing

Date published: 10/09/2008

Rochdale residents are being encouraged to have their say on proposals designed to improve policing in their community.

The Home Secretary set out the Government’s vision for policing in the Policing Green Paper, “From neighbourhood to the national: policing our communities together”, published earlier this year.

It includes plans to cut red tape and a new policing pledge, setting out what people can expect from their police team.

It also suggests replacing targets with just one aimed at measuring public confidence in the police.

It says people should be given a stronger voice through improved access to information about crime and new directly elected Crime and Policing Representatives.

Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) Chairman Councillor Paul Murphy said: “The Green Paper proposals show the Government recognises the importance of the involvement of local people in policing.

“It is vital that we now tell the Government what we think about the proposals to ensure only those which are effective and fully supported by communities end up as legislation.”

The Green Paper consultation is open to everyone from individual members of the public to large organisations such as police forces and police authorities.

Feedback must be submitted on a specific Home Office form and GMPA is one of hundreds of agencies across the country currently working on a response.

Councillor Murphy said: “There are some really good ideas in the Green Paper. Similarly, there are some proposals which we feel are unnecessary and would hamper the delivery of an effective police service.

“I encourage everyone to take a look at the plans and make their views about them known. It would be a real shame if legislation which Greater Manchester people do not support is approved because they did not make their voice heard at this crucial stage.”

To access the Home Office Green Paper and a response form visit: 

http://www.gmpa.gov.uk/involved/consultation/consultation-2.htm

Alternatively call the Home Office on 0207 035 4848 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri) for hard copies sent via post.