Chief Constable’s praise for staff

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Peter Fahy has praised his staff for dealing effectively with a series of challenges over the past weekend.

On Saturday (25 February), the English Defence League conducted a protest in Hyde which had significant potential for disorder and increased tensions, there were the usual number of high profile football matches including European fixtures and additional patrols were put into Heywood following the disorder which occurred there last week.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "Officers and other staff have shown great fortitude and resilience in dealing with these various challenges, building upon our relations with local people and other agencies.

“In Hyde and Heywood, it was the strength of our neighbourhood policing and joint working with councils and local people which have ensured that strong emotions have been contained.

"We are realistic that we face some difficult challenges over the coming months.

“We are passionate in defending the right of people to demonstrate and protest and the right to free speech.

“On the other hand, we will be robust in dealing with those who want to incite disorder or hatred towards particular groups.

“There are outsiders who would like to see groups turn against each other for their own ends.”

He added: "When community relations are under stress it is often the police who are caught in the middle and it is often innocent individuals and businesses who suffer.

“We need community leaders and all people of good faith to be proactive in tackling prejudice and misinformation to ensure impressionable young people do not get drawn into activity they will later regret.

“The criminal justice system takes very seriously those who get involved in disorder as part of a group.

“We will be putting in place plans with other agencies to ensure we work with all groups in Greater Manchester to maintain our strong record in this area."