MPs meet minister on police crisis

Home Office Minister Hazel Blears will meet MPs today to discuss a police chief 's claim he has to "farm out" murder inquiries to other forces because of lack of resources.

Labour MP Graham Allen angrily condemned comments by Nottinghamshire Chief Constable Steve Green, saying they would undermine the morale of his officers.

Mr Allen, who represents Nottingham North, will be joined by other local MPs in the meeting with Ms Blears.

Mr Green revealed at the weekend he had been in talks with another force over tackling the latest in a string of shootings in the city.

He also said he was preparing to pass on category C murder investigations as his own force is overstretched.