Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner calls on Chancellor to guarantee police numbers

Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Give us the resources we need to keep communities safe, urges Greater Manchester and Police and Crime Commissioner.

Tony Lloyd made the call to government, as Home Office figures show a 7% rise in recorded crime across Greater Manchester in the 12 months to June 2016.

Mr Lloyd said: “People will be worried by the increase in crime particularly increases in violent and sexual offences.

“We have worked hard in Greater Manchester to transform the policing service, to ensure that we focus our resources on the crimes that cause the most harm to our people and communities and to build confidence in the service so that victims do report crime, but the reality is that our police are still over-stretched and under-resourced, with cuts to other public services piling on additional pressure.

"We need the government to step up to the plate and commit to the safety of our society – not with lip service but with real action and real resources.

"Greater Manchester Police has lost more than 2,000 officers in the last six years.

"We look to the Chancellor to guarantee in the autumn statement that this erosion will not continue.

“By working with local authorities, health, voluntary organisations and other partner agencies we have made great strides in tackling complex issues such as domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation, bringing hope to victims, encouraging them to speak out and bringing perpetrators to justice.

"We need to continue driving this work forward, but funding uncertainties and reduced resources could potentially put the brakes on our success – that must not be allowed to happen.”

Sexual offences, violent crime and criminal damage have again seen the biggest increases, with burglary, vehicle crime and theft showing slight increases. Drug offences have dropped by almost a quarter.

Recorded crime statistics for rolling 12 months ending June 2016:

• All crime – 201,111 - 7% increase
• Sexual offences – 5,877 - 11% increase
• Violent crime – 52,184 –17% increase
• Shoplifting – 16,588 - 1% increase
• Vehicle offences – 23,633 – 5% increase
• Theft – 105,121 – 2% increase
• Robbery – 3,527 - 1% increase
• Burglary – 28,145 - 1% increase
• Criminal damage and arson – 34,402 –10% increase
• Drug offences – 4,581 - 24% decrease