Police could £500 'danger money' to patrol gangland hotspots

Police could £500 'danger money' to patrol gangland hotspots

Last updated at 15:26pm on 18th November 2007 Comments (8)

Danger money: Police could be offered £500 to patrol gangland hotspots

Police could be offered 'danger money' to patrol gangland hotspots, it was revealed today.

Officers patroling the areas plagued by gang-related crime could be paid up to £500 pounds.

The incentive is to try to attract experienced officers to work in dangerous areas like Moss Side in Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police said the Police Authority would have to agree to the responsibility-related payments.

But Greater Manchester Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, has criticised the idea.

The organisation claims such payments would be "divisive" and fears they could create further tension between divisions.

Chris Burrows, federation chairman elect, said: "The federation already sees the current bonus system as a divisive payment. It means officers are competing against each other. Not everyone gets the same."

A bonus scheme is already in place to reward officers on the front-line. On-call inspectors can earn an extra £3,000 on top of their salary.

If agreed, the "danger money" bonuses could come into force next September.

A GMP spokesperson said: "GMP currently implements the national special priority payment (SPP) scheme for identified posts in a standard way across the force.

"The payment reflects officers' front-line roles and additional responsibilities and the criteria used for its allocation is approved by the Greater Manchester Police Authority.

"The use of this payment and different elements of it is currently being discussed by divisional commanders across the force.

"There are currently no definite plans to change the way in which it is allocated and any proposals would have to be submitted to the police authority for discussion and agreement."