Police can recruit - despite budget cut

POLICING across Greater Manchester will cost £560 million during the next financial year.

The budget, agreed by Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA), will continue to support operational and neighbourhood policing and freezes the police portion of council tax.

The cost includes council tax contributions equivalent to £144.33 per Band D household, which is the same as the previous year.

Moston councillor Paul Murphy, chairman of the authority, said: “The last 12 months have been the most challenging for the police authority and the force and we’ve had to make some tough decisions as we find savings of £134 million by 2015.

“We have already delivered savings of more than £60 million but we still have a long way to go.

“The budget will not only allow us to continue to drive savings, but it also protects local policing, with the investment in additional police staff posts to support neighbourhood and operational policing and the recruitment of 150 new police officers over the next three years.

“In the same way we are committed to minimising the impact the budget cuts have on the frontline service provided to the public, the authority also want to minimise the impact on the public purse.”

GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: “We are determined to do the best we can for the people of Greater Manchester despite the difficult situation.

This is the last budget to be approved by Greater Manchester Police Authority, which will be replaced by a Police and Crime Commissioner in November.

The full report is available on the website at www.gmpa.gov.uk/budget.