BOLTON residents are being invited to have their say on what should be the priorities for the new police and crime commissioner.

Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) is hosting the Embracing Difference conference, which will give residents the chance to voice their views on policing and crime.

Attendees will also be updated on equality and diversity issues in policing and can take part in a series of workshops relating to age, disability, faith, gender, race and sexual orientation.

The conference follows months of consultation work carried out by police throughout the year as part of its campaign to improve diversity.

GMPA chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: “Over the past few years the views of the public have helped us set ambitious targets for Greater Manchester Police, building on the success that has seen crime in Greater Manchester fall to its lowest level for over a decade.

“Now as we get ready to hand over the reins to the commissioner in November, we’ve been making sure all our communities get the chance to have their say on policing and crime priorities and provide a snapshot of the community’s views that will help the commissioner when setting the policing and crime priorities for next year.

For more information, contact Lisa Korczynski on 0161 7932507 or lisa.korczynski@gmpa.g ov.uk, or book online at www.gmpa.gov.uk/ edconf The conference will be on Thursday, October 4, at the police’s Sedgley Park training centre in Prestwich.

The commissioner candidates are: Ben Brierley (independent), Helen Foster-Grime (Liberal Democrat), Michael Felse (independent), Michael Winstanley (Conservative) and Tony Lloyd (Labour).