Protesters kick off as Burnham defends unpopular council tax hike for police

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Andy Burnham has been accused of 'ignoring' the public as he defended a full council tax increase for police which fewer than one in four people supported.

Protesters interrupted the mayor at a police, fire and crime panel meeting on Monday (January 31) where the £10 hike for Band D properties was approved.

They criticised the mayor for overlooking the results of a consultation in which only 23 pc of those who responded supported the police precept increase. READ MORE: Children killing children: Inside Greater Manchester’s teen knife crime epidemic The protesters also spoke about 'institutional racism' in the force, citing a number of recent deaths during police pursuits - eight in nine months - which they said 'disproportionately' involved young men from minority backgrounds.

One protester told members of the panel: "You don't understand what it's like to be in a community that continues to be harmed by a racist police force." The comments came after some members of the public were prevented from gaining access to the meeting at Manchester Central Convention Complex because they arrived late, even though some tardy councillors were allowed in.