‘God’s copper’ Anderton dies

OUTSPOKEN former police chief constable Sir James Anderton has died aged 89.

Sir James became a national known figure during his spell in charge at Greater Manchester Police between 1975 and 1991.

The former Methodist lay preacher was nicknamed “God’s copper” after he claimed he could be receiving divine inspiration to speak out on moral issues. In an interview with Woman’s Own in 1987, he said: “[Criminals] should be punished until they repent of their sins. I’d thrash some myself, most surely.”