LIVERPOOL 08 POLICING

That this House notes with concern the Chief Constable of Merseyside's estimate that an additional 200 police officers will be required to police events during Liverpool 08 European Capital of Culture year; further notes that, since this is a European designation and will attract a large number of visitors from elsewhere in the UK and abroad, the cost of policing cannot be viewed as a local problem; and supports the Chair of Merseyside Police Authority, Councillor Bill Weightman, who has made it clear that any additional police resources for this purpose should not be provided at extra cost to the council tax payers of Merseyside or by reducing police cover in other parts of the city region.