Traffic cop numbers slashed

GOVERNMENT cuts have forced Greater Manchester Police to close a traffic unit, leaving the hubs in Chadderton and Eccles to deal with all road incidents.

Thirty jobs will go when the unit, in Leigh, closes next month leaving only 90 dedicated traffic officers for the entire force area. The closure is part of measures to save £134 million by 2015.

Bosses have been quick to deny the move will cause policing headaches.

Chief Insp Rachel Buckle said: “Both units (Eccles and Chadderton) will have the resources and expertise to enable our specially-trained traffic officers to do their job effectively.

“The claim that there could be as few as seven officers on duty is simply not true.”

Traffic policing has undergone a major transformation in recent times, with a dedicated bike unit, greater liaison with PCSOs, the introduction of a highways traffic service and other measures, all of which reduce the burden on formal traffic patrols.