Police pay through nose for their snouts
I READ with some amusement, your article regarding informants (Cutting the grasses, M.E.N., April 3), and was horrified to learn of the huge expenditure involved.
During my service in the uniformed police and C.I.D., 1950 to 1975, there was a so-called local ‘Snout Fund ‘, from which the detective superintendent might allow a modest sum, say the equivalent of two or three pounds in today’s money to be paid to an informer.
He would require the outlay to bear fruit, leading to a conviction.
On the time-honoured basis of ,a detective is only as good as his information, it usually worked.
Many such informants were pleased to let you know who you should keep your eye on for the mere pleasure of it, and sought no remuneration whatsoever.
More often than not, when calling in to one of the hostelries on your patch, the proffering of a glass of beer to an individual well known to you as a result of his own nefarious activities, would bring forth vital betrayal of some unsuspecting miscreant.
The identity of your own personal snout, was of course, kept secret even to one’s colleagues, and the fact that he was assured of that, led to greater and greater cooperation over years. Uniform officers too had their informants, though not on a payment footing.
They usually took the shape of elderly ladies, preferably the proprietor of a corner shop, who loved to tell the officer, quite innocently, everything that was taking place in the neighbourhood. Dennis Wood, New Moston
Corbyn shows true colours
THIS week the leader of a mainstream political party has demonstrated why he is totally unfit to hold office and to become prime minister of this country.
Up until now many decent Labour voters will have held their noses and been prepared to tolerate the hard left takeover of their party. They must be in despair! Mr Corbyn has hoodwinked us, presenting himself as a benevolent uncle, but in the last week has been found out for what he truly is: a grotesque, hard left, unobservant friend of Hamas, Hezbollah, assorted other terrorists, antisemites and Holocaust deniers tolerating and turning a blind eye to racism and much much worse.
It’s obvious there is no safe space for members of the Jewish community or for the decent ‘soft left’ in Mr Corbyn’s Labour Party.
Of course, there will always be those who will vote for him no matter what, but I cannot help but feel they will be very disappointed should he ever win a General Election.
If a man can be judged by the company he keeps then I urge decent Labour voters to take a very long hard look at their leader and his Momentum friends L Finlow, Wilmslow
Council needs new blood
I AM sure most residents in the City of Manchester have some sort of election leaflet dropped their letterbox.
In North Manchester we have received a leaflet advocating the three presently elected councillors for Harpurhey, which from May will also take in Blackley Village, Hendham Vale and Queens park.
We have had years and years of Councillor Pat Karney, Joanne green and the invisible Sandra Collins.
Karney talks about spending his time living in Harpurhey and Collyhurst. For many years he has lived in the city centre where he appears to talk up city centre matters rather than his own elected ward.
I believe they are all ineffective but still claim their allowances, which are available to see on the council website. Karney and co are quick to blame the Tories. Yes in some aspects they may be correct but the city council is spending on non-essential requirements like the fountain. A lot of councillors have been on the executive cabinet far too long – time to elect new blood. Name and address supplied
Suburbs need investment
WE will shortly be going to the polls to elect council members for the next term.
No doubt it will be the same old candidates. There is currently no real opposition and if 96 Labour candidates are successful, we will have something like a totalitarian regime where there is no one of another party to scrutinise decisions. All too often we have the, ‘I’ve always voted Labour mindset. But too much focus is being placed on the city centre and not enough on the suburbs where much investment is needed. How many more city centre vanity projects can this city sustain at the expense of roads which are in a state of disrepair, blocked roadside gullies causing flooding when it rains and fly-tipping which has reached epidemic proportions? Tony Watts, Manchester
Irish parade a let-down
THE Irish parade was a disappointment for those of us waiting at Albert Square.
It was nearly half an hour late and seemed to fall apart after reaching the square. J O’Brien, Chorlton