Six new bobbies take to streets
Reporter: Dawn Eckersley
Date published: 13 October 2008
OLDHAM is to get six new officers for neighbourhood policing and will be able to draw on a larger team for target areas.
The increase is part of a boost in the fight against crime which will involve 100 extra police officers.
New officers will strengthen Neighbourhood Policing Teams, which work to fight crime on a community level.
Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “We are having considerable success in bringing down both knife and gun crime, but we are now putting more effort into tackling the day-to-day issues of crime and anti-social behaviour that have the most impact on communities.
“Currently, our neighbourhood teams are spread too thinly and we want the public to see the impact that more local officers and PCSOs can have.
“It is much better to solve problems than just to move them on to another place.
“I want to see these additional staff working with local people and other agencies to make neighbourhoods safe and people feel safer.”
Greater Manchester Police is parading the 104 officers as part of the Home Office’s Not In My Neighbourhood Week campaign, which started today.
The extra resources have been secured thanks a three-year deal struck by GMPA with the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities earlier this year.
GMPA chairman, Cllr Paul Murphy said: “Greater Manchester communities told us they wanted more officers on the beat and that’s exactly what we delivered.
“The officers were funded through the police portion of the council tax bill as part of a three-year deal with local council leaders.
“Neighbourhood Policing Teams make a massive difference to Greater Manchester communities and I believe the deal we made shows that the police authority, the force and local councils are committed to continued investment in them.”
Now in its second year, Not In My Neighbourhood Week aims to highlight the work done by police and partnership agencies to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on a community level, while encouraging members of the public to play their part.
