Issue Date: 7th April 2008

DETAILS OF ROAD CLOSURES AND MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS ARE AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS RELEASE. PLEASE ENSURE YOU READ THE MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS CAREFULLY AS WE WILL NEED NAMES AND NUMBERS FOR THE MEDIA AREA OUTSIDE THE CATHEDRAL.

A thanksgiving service celebrating the career of former Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Michael Todd is being held at Manchester Cathedral on Friday 11 April 2008.

Hundreds of staff and officers from GMP and Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) will join Mr Todd's family at the service, which begins at 11am. In addition, senior representatives from all of the UK's police forces will attend, along with government and opposition figures and leading civic representatives from across Greater Manchester. The Queen will be represented by the Lord Lieutenant.

Due to the numbers involved, entry to the service is by invitation only, but members of the public wishing to pay their respects can do so at the BBC's Big Screen in Manchester's Exchange Square, where the service will be broadcast live.

Assistant Chief Constable Justine Curran, gold commander for the service, said: "We are deeply honoured that Mr Todd’s family are joining us for this celebration of his career and are delighted that so many representatives from policing, political and civic life will attend to pay tribute to our former Chief.

"GMP officers and staff from all ranks and roles will be represented at the service, which is something Mr Todd would certainly have wanted as he recognised that every individual in the force had a part to play in its continuing success.

"There is much to celebrate as during Mr Todd's tenure Greater Manchester Police has gone from strength to strength. As officers and staff, the most fitting tribute we can pay to him is to ensure that we keep foremost in both our minds and actions the key duties we are tasked with – to fight crime and protect people.

"I would also like to thank Manchester Cathedral for their help and support in the organisation of the service, and also the assistance and cooperation of the BBC Big Screen, Manchester City Council and Citico for enabling the public to pay their respects at Exchange Square."

Greater Manchester Police Authority Chief Executive Barbara Spicer added: "It was extremely important to the police authority that the people of Greater Manchester had an opportunity to be part of this celebration. The arrangements put in place will help achieve this and GMPA would like to thank everyone involved in making it happen.

"Michael was an excellent leader. Greater Manchester is a safer place thanks to him and the tributes which have poured in since his death are testament to the fact that he made a significant contribution to the face of policing.

"The thanksgiving service is a time to celebrate this contribution. It's also a time to remember how much importance Michael placed on keeping communities safe. Local people can rest assured this continues to be, and always will be, of the utmost importance."

The service will feature hymns, prayers and readings. Representatives of different faith groups will also participate and tributes will be made by GMP Acting Chief Constable Dave Whatton, Councillor Paul Murphy, chairman of GMPA and Chief Constable Ken Jones, president of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

As people leave, they may give donations to The Greater Manchester High Sheriff's Police Trust.

Due to the nature of the service and those attending, there will be road closures in place.

Victoria Street from its junction with Chapel Street to its junction with Cateaton Street will be closed, as will Cateaton Street.

The roads will be closed from 9.30am to 2pm. We will aim to keep disruption in the city centre to a minimum.

- release ends


MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS

Pooling arrangements
The service will be available on a pooled basis. The BBC will film the service and play it out live to broadcasters. The BBC will also have an audio feed for radio. The Press Association will write words which will be distributed on the wires after the service. GMP will have a photographer at the service and we will distribute images following the service.

Media area
There will be an area for the media outside the cathedral for reporters, camera operators and photographers. Space is limited and if you wish to have a representative in the media area, you must contact GMP press office to confirm who will attend. This will then be confirmed by us via email. Due to the nature of the service and the number of high profile people attending, the area around the cathedral will be secure so you must provide us with names. Entry to the media area will be controlled and your representative's names must be on the list and they must bring photographic identification.

The media area will be the grassy area to the right of the cathedral as you look at the main doors (please see attached image). This should give an excellent view of all those arriving and leaving.

The service will be relayed to the media area via an audio link so you can hear what is going on inside.

Access to the media area is through the search area just off Victoria Street, which is also marked on the attached map. You may be subject to search so please allow time for this.

Sat vans
There is some limited space for sat vans etc, so if you have additional requirements, please contact GMP press office as this must be arranged in advance. If you wish to have a sat van, it can be parked on Cateaton Street with cabling running to the cathedral. If you require this, ensure you have agreed it with GMP press office and you must be set up by 8.45am as the first people are due to start arriving shortly after 9am.


In summary, anyone who wishes to be in the media area must give GMP press office their names. If you wish to park up a sat van, again you must speak to GMP press office. If you have any other queries about logistics, please call us.

PLEASE RESPOND BY CLOSE OF PLAY ON WEDNESDAY 9 APRIL.