A PILOT survey carried out in Greater Manchester found that more police officers on the beat was the top of wanted list.

Now residents in the borough are being invited to have their say on the findings and ways of tackling crime.

The Home Office questionnaire "Building Safer Communities" is seeking people's views nationwide on a wide range of issues, from local policing, improving standards of service and ideas on neighbourhood projects, to ways of strengthening police accountability and the possible re-structuring of the existing 43 forces in England and Wales.

Greater Manchester Police, together with the county's police authority, has already sought the views of more than 10,000 people, including councillors, emergency services personnel, probation officers, and members of Homewatch schemes.

The survey showed that:

89 per cent wanted more officers on the beat

87 per cent wanted more information on police activity

73 per cent want Special Constables to work in their own

communities

68 per cent want police more involved in community group

70 per cent say there should be more information and support for

the public

75 per cent said local police chiefs should have more say in

deploying services

There was also support for the new police non-emergency number and independent "Community Advocates" working

with police on behalf of residents' groups.

Regional Home Office crime director David Smith said: "Here in the north west, we want to encourage a style of policing which is even more responsive to the needs of local communities."

There is still time take part, and the Home Office questionnaire is now out for public consultation. Responses are required by April 5 and can be sent to the Home Office either via the website www.policereform.gov.uk/consultation or using a freepost address.

To obtain copies of the questionnaire, telephone 0870 241 4680 or e-mail homeoffice@prolog.uk.com quoting ref: PBST-QU.