GMP Officers Fears For Safety If Budget Cuts Go Ahead
A front-line Greater Manchester Police officer has told Capital he fears for his safety if police budgets are cut and the city faces more riots like the ones on Tuesday night.
Inspector Bob Cantrell has also responded to criticism of the lack of arrests made on the night by confronting one local MP, who he refused to name, about their comments.
He was part of a tactical aid unit working in Salford and Manchester city centre and had to cope with bricks, paving slabs and even bottles filled from the toilet being thrown at him.
He says rioters were enticing officers into particular areas that they knew well to attack them.
He also told us that he and his colleagues were under-resourced for what they had to deal with and had to run for miles around the city centre in heavy riot gear.
Inspector Cantrell says police cuts would put him and his colleagues at risk (interview below)
The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police Peter Fahy has issued a statement thanking people for their support:
"The messages of support from residents, shoppers and businesses have been truly overwhelming. We have received countless messages of support and offers of help from people on social networking sites.
"My officers have also been approached by people in the street thanking them for the job they are doing. One resident even handed over a cake and some sweets to officers as a token of her appreciation. And these are not isolated incidents this support has been seen across Greater Manchester.
"We have received tremendous support from police colleagues around the country who supported us last night, and businesses that have allowed staff to work as Special Constables.
"However, it is important people know we will not stop until we have put people before the courts and our streets are safe. The hard work of dedicated officers and staff from Greater Manchester Police continues."
But Chief Constable Fahy has told Capital's Clemency Norris, some of the criticism levelled at his officers about the number of arrests has been upsetting:
