Greater Manchester Police Federation Chair Mike Peake reflects as the force marks its 50th anniversary.

5 April 2024

The chair of Greater Manchester Police Federation said the demand was “far greater than anything else we’ve ever seen” as the force marked its 50^th birthday.

Mike Peake said there had been “so much change” over the past half-century but officers were “working their socks off”.

GMP came into existence on 1 April 1974 after the Manchester and Salford joint force amalgamated with portions of the Lancashire, Cheshire and West Yorkshire Constabulary forces.

“The hard work is being done by those boots on the ground, those officers who come into work every day and do the best they can for the public,” Mike said.

The force has grown to become the second largest in the country with more than 8,000 officers wearing its uniform.

Mike said the widespread growth and availability of the internet over the past 50 years had changed the landscape of policing.

“The demand is far greater than anything else we’ve ever seen and modern day policing is very, very difficult,” he continued.

“You’ve not only got the physical crime to deal with, you’ve got all the cybercrime now to deal with.

“They’re run ragged but the performance is getting there, which is a testament to all the officers.”

The Federation boss paid tribute to GMP’s leadership team who have helped to forge “a really good relationship” with his team.

He said serious concerns raised were mostly being listened to and acted upon and called upon work to continue.

The force has overseen many significant policing operations since its inception, including shutting down major county lines gangs and responding to tragedies such as the Manchester Arena bombing.

Among the highlights, Mike said, was policing the 2002 Commonwealth Games.

“We’re one of the biggest cities in the country; we’ve got two of the largest football teams - some may argue that’s not the case - in Manchester City and Manchester United, so GMP is used to policing big events,” he continued.

“But the sad part of things is we’ve got to remember all those cops in that last 50 years who’ve made the ultimate sacrifice and given their life to keeping the public safe.”

In a message to serving officers, Mike added: “We know how hard they’re working, we know how difficult it is in modern day policing.

“Everything we do has never been under so much scrutiny - it’s analysed under a microscope.

“We’re aware of that and we are doing the best we can to make their working conditions as favourable as possible.”