Police told to put more officers on beat

Gordon Brown has ordered Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to put more officers on the beat, describing its current efforts as “not acceptable”.

In a key law and order speech, the Prime Minister insisted there were no excuses for failing to achieve a pledge for neighbourhood officers to spend 80 per cent of their time out of the office.

A report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) last October described GMP as “fair” on that element, which is defined as: “Where performance is variable and falls short of the required standard. Remedial action is needed.”

Mr Brown said: “When you see the police on your street, in the town centre at night, or on a train, you feel that there is someone on your side. You know that if someone is threatening, or out of order, or worse, they will be stopped.

“So my challenge to local authorities and police authorities around the country is to match our commitment to protecting frontline policing — or else explain to their communities why they are not prepared to do so.

“And explain what else is more important than keeping their streets safe and continuing to drive down crime and anti-social behaviour and to drive down fear.”

Mr Brown said some forces had argued it involved too much bureaucracy to measure the 80 per cent target. But he added: “Let me be absolutely clear — that is not acceptable.”

He also announced fresh measures to beef up the public’s power to fight crime, including the right to petition their local authority for more CCTV cameras and demand a response.
Mr Brown also insisted there would be a new clear expectation of prosecution for anyone breaching an Asbo, including action against the parents of under-16s.