PM hits back over force’s cuts

Greater Manchester Police will have to get rid of backroom staff to maintain front-line police, according to the Prime Minister.

David Cameron hit back at criticisms his government’s cuts would see 1,400 fewer officers fighting crime across Greater Manchester. Instead he pointed to where savings could be made.

He told MPs at question time: “The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester has said that his plans are putting the maximum resources on front-line policing.

“I’m not surprised he is able to say that because here are the figures for the employment levels in those back office functions: human resources, 187 people for that force.

“Fleet vehicle maintenance, 106 people; finance, 106.”

As Labour MPs jeered Mr Cameron said: “IT — guess how many people there are involved in IT in Greater Manchester Police? 225.

“This is the debate we ought to be having how do we get resources from the back office on to the front-line?”

The “mess” inherited from Labour meant only 11 per cent of officers were on the streets at any time, Mr Cameron said.

The comments come days after GMP’s chief constable Peter Fahy said 750 civilian employees and 309 officers will go by 2012.