Commissioner slams Policing Minister's claim officer numbers don't matter

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Tony Lloyd, Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner has rejected claims by the Policing Minister that police officer numbers don’t matter.

Mr Lloyd was speaking after Mike Penning MP claimed that the massive cuts in police officers across the country had no impact on the police’s work.

He said: “People across Greater Manchester and the country will be astonished that the Policing Minister of all people says that police numbers don't matter.

“Greater Manchester Police has seen officer numbers drop from 8,100 to the current level of 6,500 - and will not be much above 5300 in a few years’ time.

“It's simply dishonest to pretend it makes no difference. The Home Secretary and her Ministers should be helping make our communities safe, not choosing to turn a blind eye to the damage they are doing.”