Private sector set to bankroll city police

Mar 30 2007 by Sam Lister, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYSIDE police are set to become the first force in the country to try to use private sector money to pay for new officers.

Chief Constable Bernard Hogan-Howe is in talks with Grosvenor to secure funding to help recruit an extra 200 officers in time for Capital of Culture.

He hopes it will persuade the Government to hand over the rest of the £9m he needs to “put an officer on every street corner” during 2008.

Yesterday Mr Hogan-Howe, Grosvenor and representatives from around 20 other organisations, including the region’s councils and the fire service, met Policing Minister Tony McNulty.

But last night council leader Warren Bradley launched a stinging attack on Mr McNulty, accusing him of being a time-waster with no intention of coming up with the money.

And the Home Office admitted extra cash was unlikely.

It means Mr Hogan-Howe, who also hopes to persuade the public sector to contribute, could be forced to rely on the radical scheme to pay for extra security during Liverpool’s spotlight year.

The Chief Constable said: “Everybody supported the idea of bringing in the extra officers.

“It would be good to be able to see that mix of funding. My main concern is that we are only nine months away so we need to start recruiting as soon as possible.

“There are negative perceptions about Liverpool. I want police on every street corner so visitors get a great experience.

“Tony McNulty likes the idea of having the extra officers in principal.

“People in the city would notice the difference. There have been no promises from Grosvenor but we have set up future meetings to explore the possibility.”

The Home Office has so far refused to foot the bill because Capital of Culture is not an “unexpected or enforced” event.

But the city council and police authority believe Liverpool should be treated the same way as Manchester when it was given extra money for the Commonwealth Games.

Cllr Bradley said: “I feel the meeting was a waste of time because I don’t think the Government is going to come up with the goods, or they may suddenly announce something two days before the elections.

“The city will continue to do what it can to make sure that people come to the city and have a safe and enjoyable time.”

Grosvenor was approached by the force because its Liverpool 1 retail development will cover 43 acres of the city centre once it opens next year.

Project director Rod Holmes said: “We are supportive of the plans for extra officers 100%.

“We will be paying for the security for the 43 acres of the city we are responsible for, and we think it is reasonable to expect the Government to at least match that.”

Last month, the Chief Constable travelled to London to meet the minister, and more meetings are expected over the next few months.

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: “One of the issues discussed was additional funding required for policing the city while it hosts European Capital of Culture 2008.

“The minister listened sympathetically to the issues raised. He indicated that additional funding was unlikely but would assist the police where he could to help them identify additional funding streams.”

Police Authority chairman Cllr Bill Weightman said: “We are grateful that Mr McNulty came to Merseyside. He listened sympathetically to the case.

“With a shortfall in the budget we can’t be expected to fund 200 extra officers and we are concerned that the only way to police these events will be to take officers from other parts of Merseyside. That is a last resort and we are hopeful that a conclusion will be reached before it comes to that.”

OPINION: PAGE 12

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