Free police in Oldham area from government bureaucracy

10.04.02am GMT Mon 8th Sep 2008

Plans to free local police forces from the grip of central government bureaucracy and targets have been welcomed by Liberal Democrats in Oldham East & Saddleworth.

The proposals have been launched by Liberal Democrat Shadow Home Secretary Chris Huhne and will be debated at the party's conference in Bournemouth in September.

Elwyn Watkins, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham East & Saddleworth, said that police officers would be freed to spend more time policing communities rather than chasing government targets.

"The police have to be free to police our local communities," said Elwyn Watkins. "Constant interference and targets from Whitehall do little to catch criminals and deter crime. Local divisional commanders are far better placed than a government minister in Whitehall to decide what the priorities are in Oldham, Shaw, Lees or Saddleworth.

"The proposals also call for police authorities to be elected by local people, rather than appointed by ministers. That will mean policing priorities are under the control of local people."

Other proposals to be debated by the Liberal Democrats include appointing 10,000 extra police officers, paid for by scrapping the expensive and bureaucratic National Identity Card scheme.

Related Link:

Paper from Chris Huhne MP - Cutting Crime: Catching Criminals With Better Policing.