This is a once in a generation chance to secure a new Oldham police station and get the facilities our borough deserves. After 14 wasted years of Tory cuts which resulted in the closure of the Magistrates Court & County Court in Oldham as well as police posts at Limeside, Chadderton & Royton; we are finally turning a corner.
After meeting in late October with Mayor Andy Burnham, Deputy Mayor Kate Green, Head of Estates at GMP Peter Bannister, and Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah to discuss plans for a restored justice centre for our borough to go alongside plans for a new police station, there is a will but we need the Ministry of Justice to work with us to deliver it.
It’s one thing to end the ‘Oldham Premium’ – which means due to poor parking, it costs more to attract officers & staff with the current police station by getting our Oldham GMP team the facilities they deserve to be able to best tackle crime & antisocial behaviour. It’s a whole other thing to bring back a wider justice centre with court space and custody cells so we can truly bring local confidence back to our policing and justice system. That’s why we are pushing for more.
For too many they feel justice has left town, we need to put that right and match the investment in neighbourhood policing with facilities the town and staff deserve too.
To see the clip of the question I asked to the Minister in full, head to my Facebook page.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 