Police chief’s praise

POLICE officers and staff have been praised for battling the horrendous weather to get to work — and even using the snow to catch criminals.

Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Peter Fahy has thanked those who donned their wellies and walked to work.

One officer even ran seven miles from Scouthead to Nexus House in Ashton.

Det Con Ginette Smith, who works in the Force Intelligence Branch, later ran the return journey.

Officers arrested two men for trying to break into vehicles parked on driveways after following their footprints in the snow. And another wanted offender was caught after his footprints led officers to the house where he was hiding in North Manchester.

Mr Fahy said: “The way officers and police staff have reacted to this weather has been commendable, they have really done themselves proud.”

Neighbourhood Policing Teams have helped stranded residents by clearing paths and digging people out of their vehicles.

Mr Fahy asked people to only call 999 when there was a threat to life or a crime in progress, adding: “Our response vehicles could also be hindered by the weather and it may take us a little longer to get you.”