100 extra officers to pound Greater Manchester beats

Date published: 18/02/2008

More than 100 extra officers will pound Greater Manchester beats over the next three years thanks to a ground breaking budget deal.

A total of 104 officers are headed to community policing duties after the police portion of the council tax bill was agreed from 2008 to 2011 by Greater Manchester Police Authority.

It is believed it is the first time a police authority has set its precept for a three year term and the cost to the average Band D household in 2008/2009 is an extra 17p per week.

This is a 7.5% increase compared to last year’s charge for policing and in the financial years starting in 2009 and 2010, the increases will again be 7.5%.

Greater Manchester Police Authority Chairman Paul Murphy said: "Having listened to the concerns of the Greater Manchester communities about crime and disorder issues, the budget proposals attracted great support from the Authority.

"Members are now looking forward to working in partnership with the force to put these plans into action.

"Part of this work will involve the close scrutiny of performance - we have mapped out what we will deliver as a result of this deal and the Chief Constable will be held accountable by the Authority for the delivery of these promises."
 
Among the proposals to be delivered is the allocation of an additional sergeant and five police constables in each police division; the introduction of 80 more support staff and officers dedicated to targeting priority areas, which could be a ward, local community or even a location such as a school.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd added: "As a direct result of the extra funding, we can now put more than 100 extra officers on the streets and into the hearts of our communities.

"The cost to the taxpayer will only be a few extra pence a week but the extra resources available will benefit everyone by helping us to further tackle the issues that are important to our local communities and achieve our aim of fighting crime and protecting people."

The increases in the council tax bills in 2009/2010 and 2010/2011 will help maintain the new initiatives. Importantly, the extra cash will also be used to fund further investments in neighbourhood policing and also the protection of vulnerable people.

GMPA and GMP have been keen to set a three-year precept for some time. Financial planners were able to explore the impact of such a deal when leaders at the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities requested a report into the implications of an approach with 7.5% increases each year.

The report received backing and paved the way for the budget proposals which were rubber-stamped at the latest full GMPA meeting on 15 February.