"Pioneer" policing to come to Manchester Withington

4.51.11pm GMT Fri 16th Jan 2009

John Leech MP will meet with the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, in the Commons on Monday to ensure that the local community benefits from Manchester's police being given 'Pioneer Area' status.

As part of the scheme, each 'Pioneer Area' will appoint a designated neighbourhood crime and justice coordinator who will be tasked with ensuring that the public knows who their local policing team is, what their rights are and how they can hold them to account. In addition, they will be ensuring that people clearly see the consequences of crime through more visible community payback.

John Leech said:

"I want to make sure that I do everything I can to ensure that this scheme benefits local residents and reduces the fear of crime.

I am meeting with the Home Secretary to find out how I can make this scheme work for south Manchester so that the whole community benefits from accountable policing delivering visible justice."

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Notes for editors:

1. 60 areas across the country, including Manchester, have thus far signed up to become new neighbourhood crime and justice pioneer areas. For further information see http://press.homeoffice.gov.uk/press-releases/crime-justice-pioneer-areas.