Call for clarity on police numbers

Chief Superintendent John O'Hare.

It was revealed last week that Greater Manchester Police were amongst the forces likely to reduce the number of full-time police officers because of restraints on public spending.

Rochdale Online approached Chief Superintendent John O'Hare last week and asked: "How many police officers will there be in Greater Manchester after the force sheds 300 through natural wastage because of budget cuts and how will this impact on the service the police in Rochdale Borough provide?"

Chief Superintendent O'Hare said he would respond when he had accurate information.

However, Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has called on GMP to be clear about the number of proposed job cuts after reports suggested up to 300 posts could go in the next four years.

Mr. Rowen said: “The government made a commitment to protect law and order from the impact of public sector cuts and now we see the possibility of up to 300 posts may be under threat in our local police authority. Gordon Brown may talk tough on crime, but he is ducking the major decisions when it comes to protecting the people of Rochdale.

“The police do an excellent job in Rochdale making sure the streets and local residents are kept safe and secure and I’m sure the last thing they want are job cuts in their force which will have a detrimental effect in the way the force is run.”

Mr. Rowen is now urging the force to release a breakdown of Greater Manchester’s police numbers over the next year.

He added: “I will be writing to the Chief Constable for clarity in the amount of police numbers in the force over the next year. I will be asking Peter Fahy to reassure us that any job cuts will not affect front line public services.”