GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

That this House notes with grave concern the assessment made by the Chair of the Greater Manchester Police Authority in his letter of 21st January to the Home Secretary that, without additional police grant, the authority will be forced to move operational police officers from front line service into essential support roles currently staffed by civilians and will be unable to train or equip PCSOs for their extra powers; further notes that the police's existing high levels of performance will be seriously undermined; and therefore calls on the Home Secretary to give a clear assurance to the people of Greater Manchester that he will guarantee a level of funding that will at the least permit the current level of operational policing on the streets to be maintained throughout the coming financial year.