Inspector Lewis joins fight against police cuts

YOU’VE done it again Lewis... actor Kevin Whately signs Labour’s petition against police cuts

Actor signs up to Labour campaign

DI Lewis has backed a campaign against police cuts that could have Inspector Morse spinning in his grave.

Actor Kevin Whately — who plays TV detective Inspector Lewis — has signed Labour’s petition against plans to axe nearly 1,400 police officers in Greater Manchester.

It gave the campaign, which is being championed by Labour’s candidate for the Oldham East and Saddleworth by-election Debbie Abrahams, some celebrity endorsement.

The character of Robbie Lewis was a sergeant in the popular TV series “Inspector Morse”, which saw the pair cracking crime in Oxford.

Mr Whately reprised his role in the ITV spin-off series “Lewis” where his character had been promoted in rank.

He said: “I’m pleased to support Debbie Abrahams and the Wrong Cuts, Wrong Time campaign. As a TV detective, my admiration for real-life police officers and the job they do couldn’t be higher.

“That’s why I can understand the anger of people in Oldham East and Saddleworth, and across the Greater Manchester area, at seeing police numbers cut. The Government is getting its priorities all wrong and I hope they’ll look again at giving the police the funding they need to do their job.”

Mrs Abrahams said: “I’m delighted that Kevin is backing our campaign to stop these reckless police cuts. The public support for the campaign so far has been great.

“People are really angry at the broken promises from the Lib-Dems on police numbers. They promised more but are now delivering big cuts.”

More than 4,000 people have signed the petition against Greater Manchester Police shedding almost a quarter of jobs, including 1,387 police officers, as part of their response to the Government spending review.

Oldham’s MPs have written a letter to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, to raise their concerns, saying the coalition is taking big risks with public safety by cutting the police budget.

Oldham Labour members held a protest at Oldham Jobcentre and the campaign has spread across Greater Manchester.