Work with us — new GMP chief

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins

POLICING has got to change - and the public will need to change withh it, says Greater Manchester’s new chief constable.

Former deputy chief constable Ian Hopkins took over from Sir Peter Fahy, who left the force a week ago.

The new chief takes on his role as Greater Manchester potentially faces another £52 million cut in the policing budget, on top of the £275 million already taken.

His force is currently losing 40 officers a day, Mr Hopkins said: in 2008 there were 8,200 officers, today there are around 6,300. By 2019 that number could have dropped to around 5,000.

“Policing has got to change,’ said Mr Hopkins. “The public will see a different face to the police. You have to work with us; you can’t be a passive observer. We have powers; we will do things we need to do, but you have to work alongside us.

“Lots of people are already working with us. There’s an increase in the number of volunteers. Community groups are coming together, which is great, but we need more people.”

The comprehensive spending review will be revealed on November 25 and the chief constable is fearful of what that might reveal.

“We’ve based figures on 25 per cent cuts. If it is more than that then we have to look at it again. If it’s a high as 40 per cent then it will be a different conversation.”

Mr Hopkins said he will try to continue Sir Peter’s legacy but added: “The GMP that Sir Peter Fahy came to in 2008 and left in 2015 are remarkably different organisations.”