Prime Minister David Cameron met residents, police and fire fighters in Salford on Friday, August 12, after the city experienced violence and looting earlier in the week. Mr Cameron, accompanied by local MP Hazel Blears, the former Labour Home Secretary, visited Salford Fire Station where he spoke to locals who witnessed the disorder.
The trouble in both Manchester and Salford left more then 100 premises damaged and police have made around 120 arrests.<br><br>The PM hailed the bravery shown by police officers who faced down those involved in the disorder:<br><br>“They were brave on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. They are brave every day of every year when they put their lives on the line for us. I have huge respect for our police.<br><br>“But clearly we needed to act this week to get control of the streets, to get them back for the law-abiding. The police did that, they did change their tactics, they did increase police numbers, that was the right thing to do.<br><br>“And through COBRA they had the political support of the Government, the Prime Minister and the whole of Parliament to get on and do that.”<br><br>In the House of Commons on Thursday, August 11, Mr Cameron announced stronger police powers to ensure that offenders are caught and made to pay for their crimes.<br><br>He also announced a package of support for homeowners and businesses which have seen their properties destroyed in the violence and looting with compensation available under the Riot Damages Act.
Meanwhile, after David Cameron’s interview in August 14’s Sunday Telegraph, Yvette Cooper, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary said:
"After the events of last week what we need from the Prime Minister is not more spin but more support for the police.
"Promising the police will take a zero tolerance approach to street crime at the same time as cutting the officers they need to do the job is not leadership.
"Ten years ago, action by the police, the Labour government, communities, councils and the courts did bring street crime right down from unacceptable levels. But that was done through partnership with the police and involved more and more officers on the beat.
"Cutting 16,000 police officers will do nothing to combat gangs and street crime and increases the risks to law and order. The Prime Minister and Home Secretary will have no credibility with belated promises on crime as long as they are committed to such big cuts to policing. If they want to get serious on crime they need to rethink their plans now."
