MP questions when policing reforms will deliver practical benefits

Proposed police reforms must deliver concrete benefits for communities, putting more visible neighbourhood policing on the streets of our towns and villages, says local MP Lisa Smart. 

She used an urgent question to the Home Office in Parliament to raise the issues of rural crime – not mentioned in the reform announcement – shoplifting, and antisocial behaviour, including illegal off-road bikes. 

Lisa Smart MP said: “More than anything, we need to ensure that these reforms deliver the proper frontline policing our communities deserve. 

“Greater Manchester Police has seen more than 350 PCSOs cut since 2015. It is no wonder that the vast majority of burglaries are still going unsolved.”

She challenged the minister to show people in places such as Mellor, Woodley and Offerton real world results with frontline policing, and more coordinated work with Councils and local partners. 

She continued: “I hear my residents, who are concerned that rural crime isn’t being dealt with. I hear them angered by illegal off-road bikes on our streets and in our parks. I hear them frustrated at shoplifting not being prosecuted.

“These reforms need to deliver more bobbies on the beat, and more officers with the time and resources to focus on their communities.”