Scrap ID cards for more police - demand

OLDHAM Lib-Dems want to scrap the Government’s controversial ID cards scheme and use the cash saved to pay for 500 extra police officers to patrol Greater Manchester.
They say their plan would see an extra 10,000 police officers across England and Wales — including 507 in the region.

Elwyn Watkins, Parliamentary spokesman for Oldham East and Saddleworth, said: “In these difficult times we need more police officers on the street, but the Government instead plans to waste billions on ID cards, which will do nothing to help keep order on our streets.

“Highly visible community policing is a top priority for the Liberal Democrats. A greater police and community support officer presence on our streets will reduce both crime and the fear of crime, help clamp down on anti-social behaviour and reduce the number of crime ‘hot spots’.

“We will also simplify the bureaucracy the police face so they can spend more time on patrol, preventing crime and catching criminals.

“The Government has yet to introduce a national computer system that has worked and come in on budget. The ID cards computer system will be no different. ID cards will be ineffective and cost taxpayers billions at a time of severe economic hardship. The money would be better spent on more police officers.”

Among the first people to carry the ID cards in Britain will be workers at Manchester Airport.