Byrne appointed Police Minister

Hodge Hill MP, Liam Byrne, has been promoted to Minister of State for the police in Tony Blair's post local election Government reshuffle.

The father of three got the call from the Prime Minister late on Friday afternoon just as he was putting the finishing touches to a new blueprint for youth services. He arrived at the Home Office first thing Saturday and spent the day meeting the new Home Secretary and key officials.

He immediately pledged to bring everything he'd learned combating anti-social behaviour in Hodge Hill to the job. Hodge Hill is the only city district with its anti-social behaviour plan right on track.

Liam said:

'My top priorty will be to deliver policing that's not only felt but seen.

'We've shown in Hodge Hill that a new alliance between the police, the Home Office and the local district can start - and I mean start - to make a difference.

'Its a new culture of tackling - not tolerating selfish behaviour that I want to see centre-stage in every community.

'Its quite simply the very least that hard-working tax-payers expect and deserve'.

He went on to praise West Midlands chief constable, Paul Scott-Lee:

'I'm very lucky in having some of the best teachers in the business. The West Midlands force has an outstanding reputation for nailing crime. The lessons I've learned from our Chief Constable and our local operational commanders will stand me in good stead'.

Liam completed his preparations for the new post by knocking 10 minutes off his personal best time in the Stratford Half Marathon on Sunday, raising over £1000 pounds for victims of the Kashmir earthquake.

The race looked touch and go after he found his feet covered in blisters after 12 hours on the doorstep on Thursday. Not only was his office manager, Gill Beddows elected for Labour but a huge 2000 majority was returned in Washwood Heath.

If you'd like to donate to Liam's Run for the Future appeal, call 0121 789 7287.