Read your questions answered by the GMPA chair. You can also:
Q. Whilst it may not be a representative sample, whenever I watch police programmes on TV I am amazed at the number of apparently repeat offenders who are still allowed back on our streets to continue their rampage. If we are to reduce petty repetitive crime then we need to get these people off the streets. Short-term pain of cost for long-term gain of society in general, and eventually cost. Do you agree?
A. GMPA chairman, Councillor Murphy: I agree that we need to address the problem of repeat offending, and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) works closely with the probation service and other agencies to monitor offenders and help people recently released from prison to stay on the straight and narrow. This can range from helping offenders find a home and a job to regularly visiting the offenders to ensure they are adhering to the rules of their probation. The police authority is also supportive of restorative justice for more minor crimes, particularly when the offenders are young people. Restorative justice gives victims the chance to tell offenders about the real impact of their crime and allows the offender to understand the consequences of their behaviour and take responsibility for their actions. This approach can also engage the offender in effective interventions which are designed to reduce their chances of reoffending.
Q. Does the Police Mounted Unit provide value for money? I remain unconvinced that it provides a service that other methods of policing could not provide more effectively both financially and operationally. In these times of stringent cut backs in policing can you justify spending £2,124,398 (2011/12 Budget) on this unit when other front-line services are being cut back? It is my suggestion that the authority seriously consider disbanding the unit and redeploy those resources elsewhere within the district to better effect.
A. GMPA chairman, Councillor Murphy: The mounted unit provide a valuable resource for the Force, particularly when policing major events and protests, and they have become a reassuring, preventative presence for communities blighted by crime. In terms of efficiency and the budget challenges we face, this is an area which is currently under review as part of the second phase of the cuts. The policing of football matches is an area the police authority are currently examining as a follow-up to our scrutiny report of major events policing, and we have been asking football fans to give us their views on this issue.
A. Chief Constable Peter Fahy: "The work of the mounted unit has been prioritised towards public order, major events and targeting crime hotspots and are part of the current review as part of the policing cuts. It is part of frontline policing and they are a highly sought after resource for divisional operations offering a high visible presence, reassuring the public and preventing and detecting crime as they are often first on the scene. I also believe that they are a very successful preventative measure in situations which could easily flare into violence but you can't measure this form of success."
Q. Why are you and the chief constable holding public meetings about spending cuts in the police, when the decisions have already been made?
A. GMPA chairman, Councillor Murphy: The proposals put forward are precisely that - proposals. No final decisions will be made until we have consulted with the public and listened to their views. I would like to emphasise that this a meaningful consultation process and assure the public and our partners that their views will be considered. The fact remains that we need to save £134M over four years and we need to look at every penny we spend to ensure we focus our resources in the most efficient and effective way. The feedback we receive from the public meetings, along with the responses to our surveys, online comments, and information collected by our Engagement Team when they are out and about across Greater Manchester, will help inform our future decision-making.
Q. I am a school leaver, just leaving high school. My career choice for as long as I can remember is to join the police. Because of this, I have offered to volunteer at police stations, join Cadets and much more. However, due to the spending cuts, this won't be possible. Is there anything in place for young children to get involved with the police?
A. GMPA chairman, Councillor Murphy: Have you spoken to your local neighbourhood policing team? Some neighbourhoods have been looking at starting cadet schemes and do a lot of work with schools and youth groups. In Oldham, for example, they have a Neighbourhood Youth Watch, where young people join Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on walkabouts, issuing crime prevention information to residents and learning more about the role of the police.
This page was last updated on 22 September 2011