A FORMER Stretford and Urmston MP has vowed to make communities ‘safer and stronger’ after being appointed Manchester’s deputy mayor for policing and crime.

After a landslide victory at the polls, Greater Manchester’s newly elected mayor announced his leadership team.

Former Home Office Minister Baroness Beverley Hughes has been nominated by the mayor to become Greater Manchester’s first deputy mayor for policing and crime.

Baroness Hughes served as MP to Stretford and Urmston from 1997 to 2010.

Manchester City Council Leader, Sir Richard Leese, has also been appointed deputy mayor and will lead on business and economy issues and Bury Council Leader Rishi Shori has been chosen to become portfolio holder for young people and social cohesion.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “I am committed to delivering on my promises to the people of Greater Manchester and a strong leadership team is key to achieving that.

“Sir Richard Leese and Beverley Hughes bring a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to their respective roles. I look forward to working with them to make Greater Manchester the best place to live, work, grow up and get on in life.

"People are talking about stable leadership. Greater Manchester has had it for the last 20 years and with this leadership team we will have it going forward. In testing times, Greater Manchester will need its best team on the pitch and that is what today's announcement achieves."

Beverley Hughes, deputy mayor for police and crime, said: “I’m honoured and excited to be given this opportunity to work alongside the Mayor, Chief Constable, and local people to make our communities safer and stronger.

"This role will not be without challenge, not least with continued budget pressures and increasing demand on our police, but we have a strong foundation on which to build on.”