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It seems that Notts and Durham are not alone in fighting this government over funding. GMP's CC Todd and Hazel Blears have agreed to differ following a heated war of words on GMP's funding aqnd manpower. Apparently they clashed over CC Todd's claims that the Manchester Force is underfunded by government. ([i[ sounds all too familiar .. )

Blears tells him to stop moaning and get on with his job....allegedly.

Todd argues that his force is underfunded to the tune of £5.7m. (Par for the course - rumour has it we're all about to hit the red by simialar shortfalls - whether or not the force is linked to scamerati or not - um JJ was sayin' ? NO Brownie points apparently for signing on the bottom line - though one wonders whether or not the refunds of fines might have annoyed some people when Manchester's Drivewise got it wrong...)

Anyway like Notts, N Yorks and Durham - Todd wants proper officer - 11,000 of them to be precise and not just the paltry 8,000 he's been promised. (He's lucky - we've not been promised that many .. but we are small force up here.)

Blears claimed Todd's claims were misleading and she wrote to the Manchester Evening News to "set the record straight!", claiming thatGMP is set to receive £19.3 m more in a general grant for 2005/6 fiscal year - a rise of 4.9% - one of the highest increases in police funding. Funny - we get the same story ... and the same percentage... hmmmmm?

She said GMP had recieved £32 m in specific grants and £11m on cpaital funding... Hmm? Wonder what they spent that on... Can hazard a few guesses

Mr Todd said he would not be drawn into a party political debate ....but stated that the budget would be "very challenging!"

Manchester has 370 "Specials" and another 50- joining this year. A £".5m Home Office Campagn has allegedly given the police an extra 1,500 Specials and 2,500 applications are currently being processed. These specials will complement the CSOs. Interestingly - Blears includes them in the "record number of police officers under Tony's reign of" terrorising drivers.."

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I think there's a lot of empire-building going on from Chief Constables.

It's so easy to argue that you need more officers.

Police numbers have greatly increased during the Blair era, but there has been no corresponding reduction in crime, and many traffic divisions have been slashed.

I'm not at all convinced. And the recent business in Nottinghamshire suggests the Chief Constable isn't in proper control of his force.

He's recently been very vocal in condemning changes to the licensing laws, but if he can't keep his own patch in order, how much weight can you give to his opinions?

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

The increase in paperwork on police requires a different form of police administrator to cope.

It is also a useful excuse in keeping officers away from front line work, so those that prefer a coffee and desk work have the right excuse.

But officers are not trained as clerks, so they will be more inefficient at the office work than clerks.

Police management seem to have lost control of where their resources are directed. in some of the key areas

And within each Police authority there is little effective influence on the CofP. In USA a CofP would have to be elected.

As an aside Blears is on Labour's NEC and is a very key Blair babe, with probably more influence on Blair than Clarke (her boss).