Barbara has called on the Home Secretary to think again before making any further cuts to Greater Manchester Police budgets.

Speaking in a debate in Westminster, Barbara raised concerns about the rise in gang-related gun crime in Salford and the impact that further police cuts could have on tackling organised crime in the area.

Barbara said:

“Since 2010 the Government has slashed £175 million from Greater Manchester’s policing budget and we have lost more than 1,500 police officers.The Government’s cuts to police numbers are leaving Greater Manchester Police overstretched and without the support needed to deal with the gang violence and shootings we have seen in Salford. I am deeply concerned about the impact any further reduction in police numbers could have on my constituents.

“In Salford we have seen a frightening escalation of gun crime. In the last 18 months there have been 21 shootings in Salford, including the shooting of a 7-year old boy and his mother in Winton.  These attacks are sickening. I want the police to have the resources they need to keep our communities safe, as local people do.

“I have called on the Home Secretary to think again before forcing any further cuts on to Greater Manchester Police.”