18 February 2012 Last updated at 14:36

Greater Manchester Police to take on 150 new officers

Fifty officers will be taken on each year for the next three years

Fifty new police officers are to be taken on in Greater Manchester each year for the next three years.

It follows a two-year recruitment freeze designed to help the force save £134m by 2015.

The new posts were announced by the Greater Manchester Police Authority as it sets its budget for the year.

Chairman of the police authority Paul Murphy said: "We would have liked to taken on more but we are not in the financial position to do so."

'Not great'

He said: "In years gone by we would normally take on 200 new officers a year so it's not great but it is the best we can do in these challenging times."

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said the recruitment drive would help the force "to continue to reduce crime and disorder".

He said: "Over the past year we have had to make fundamental changes so that we can maintain the service to the public as more than 1000 staff have left the force.

"We are determined to do the best we can for the people of Greater Manchester despite the difficult financial situation."

The first 50 vacancies are expected to be advertised in the summer.