GREATER Manchester Police Authority are to lobby the Home Secretary for 1,000 extra police officers to help cut crime.

GMPA Chairman Councillor Stephen Murphy said: "We need an extra 1,000 police officers if we are to properly address the crime levels of Greater Manchester.

"Our staff have more offences to deal with per officer than any other force. We have been asking for extra officers since the formation of the Authority in 1986 and this is an opportunity to redress the situation once and for all."

He said it wasn't a publicity stunt to ask for 1,000 officers from the total of 5,000 being made available, just a reflection of the need of the public of Greater Manchester.

"We will be doing all we can to make sure our bid succeeds including enlisting the support of all the Greater Manchester MPs."

The 1,000 bid came at a police authority meeting where members were tolld that crime was up 1.9% in the six months from April to September with 185,955 crimes recorded. The detection rate was 25,1%. Fire arms were used on 649 occassions an increase by 13.4% to over 4,000. Sexual offences were up 14% with 318 rapes compared to 276 last year. Burglary was down 15.7% to 18,078 dwellings but theft of cars was up 2.4% to 19,698.

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