Police should steer clear of gimmicks, says MP

GREATER Manchester Police officers should spend more time on front-line policing and not piloting controversial ID cards, MPs have said.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen is among a group in Westminster criticising the move which could see the scheme piloted across the area.

Last week, visiting Manchester, Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the city could be one of the testing grounds for the Government’s ID card scheme.

She said Manchester would be “in the running” to take part in the next phase of the scheme where young people will be encouraged to apply for cards.

But Mr Rowen said Greater Manchester Police had more important priorities and they should focus on policing rather than getting involved in political projects.

He said: “We think it is absolutely ridiculous that GMP should pilot any scheme.

“They have much more serious issues that need to be tackled.

“It is another example of chief constables, in my view, becoming more politicised and getting involved in Government pet projects rather than the job in hand.

“Priorities should always be front line policing, not these gimmicky projects.”

Later this year, ministers are expected to announce areas where people over 16 can volunteer for the cards before it is rolled out nationwide from 2011.

The cards will contain details of a person’s fingerprints, name, date of birth and address.

ID cards have been compulsory for foreign nationals living in the UK since November. It is believed 50,000 cards will be issued by April.

Cards will also become mandatory for workers at Manchester airport later this year after Government announced last year they would be guinea pigs along with workers at London City airport.

Compulsory ID cards for everyone — expected to cost around £100 a head — cannot be introduced without a further vote in parliament after the next election.

The Conservatives and Lib Dems have both said they would scrap the scheme.