News spreads of Greater Manchester Precept Agreement

A short film featuring the work of additional officers funded through the police portion of the council tax bill is now available for all to see.

Earlier this year, Greater Manchester Police Authority put an extra 104 officers on local streets, including six in Rochdale.

A short film showcasing the work of some of them was launched at a recent two-day national conference for agencies involved in crime and reduction work.

The footage is now available for all to see on the GMPA website and people are being encouraged to take a look.

GMPA Executive Director Russell Bernstein said: “The film was created as part of and shown at the Local Government Association’s Safer Communities Conference.

“We felt it was important to showcase amongst national partners some really good work taking place in Greater Manchester.

“More importantly, it provided us with a resource we could later share with local people to show them how we have used some of the council tax money and the impact that is having.

“We are accountable to local people. They are our most important partners and we believe it’s vital for them to be as informed as possible about our work.”

Each one of the 12 police divisions in Greater Manchester has received at least one sergeant and five PCs from the additional 104.

The remaining officers work all across the area dealing with priority issues in hot spot areas.

All were funded by the police portion of the council tax bill. GMPA secured the funds after the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities agreed to support an increase in the police precept between 2008 and 2011.

The increase was agreed on the condition the money it raised was ring-fenced to community policing.

All the 104 officers are now in place. Those working in Sale are among those featured in the film along with Councillor Paul Murphy, GMPA chair and Lord Peter Smith, the chair of AGMA.

The film can be viewed by accessing the Latest News area of the GMPA website (www.gmpa.gov.uk). This can be accessed from the home page.