Figures flawed but the message is clear, "We need more bobbies on the beat"

4.33.35pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd May 2006

Responding to a report published yesterday that stated Stockport was the third most crime-ridden area in the country, local MPs Andrew Stunell and Mark Hunter have dismissed some of the figures used by the researchers but has welcomed its core message that crime should remain a high priority.

Said Mark, "All the evidence I have seen in recent years shows Stockport as one of the safest areas to live and work in the whole of Greater Manchester. I am particularly sceptical about the fact that the report says only 136,000 people live in Stockport. At the last census over 284,000 people were shown living in the borough.

"If the researchers had used the correct figures for our population, the borough would have come way down the list and not at the top."

"Nevertheless, I am still determined that our area needs more police on the beat. Crime and anti-social behaviour are some of the top priorities for residents and whilst I believe this research is flawed, I will continue to campaign for more bobbies on the beat in our area."

"I hope the government take note of the core messages from this report, namely that this is not the time to be cutting funding for our local police service at the same time as pouring billions of pounds down the drain on the ID card scheme."

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell added:

"Government cut-backs mean that we are losing four police officers in Stockport this year, and there are hints that there are more to come. This report supports what we have been saying all year: we need more police on the streets, not less.

"Cutting crime is a key concern to the people of Stockport. We are calling for the Government to give Greater Manchester's Chief Constable the resources he needs to deliver the police service that everyone here knows we need."