Violent crime up massively in Greater Manchester

Crime is on the increase in Greater Manchester

Total recorded crime in Greater Manchester has risen by 27%, with a rise across the majority of crime types, including sexual offences and robbery, and violence against the person up by a massive 41%, Home Office statistics, published on Thursday (July 19) reveal.

The figures for Greater Manchester include the following:

• Total recorded crime – 340,005 – 27% increase
• Violence against a person - 94,211 – 41% increase
• Sexual offences - 9,550 – 39% increase
• Burglary - 31,970 – 4% increase
• Robbery - 6,939 – 48% increase
• Theft offences - 122,948 – 6% increase
• Vehicle crime - 30,863 – 19% increase
• Shoplifting - 17,400 – 3% decrease
• Bicycle theft - 4,343 – 9% decrease
• Theft from person - 6,648 – 1% decrease

The Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester says it is “unacceptable” that local communities are bearing the brunt of the Government’s failure to fund policing fairly and properly.

Beverley Hughes said: “Official statistics once again show a substantial increase in recorded crime. While some of this is down to improvements in how the police record crime, these figures highlight the increasing demand on policing, and the impact on communities.

“While our police officers and staff remain committed to protecting our homes and streets, over-stretched resources and the changing nature of crime means our communities are bearing the brunt of the Government’s failure to fund the police fairly – and that is simply unacceptable.”

The Deputy Mayor added: “Just last week, 250 GMP officers were pulled out of Greater Manchester to police a national operation for President Trump’s visit to the UK, taking away vital resources from local people here at a time when our emergency services are faced with unprecedented demand.

“The Government has to stop taking our police service for granted and realise the impact that years of cuts and tumbling officer numbers is having on our communities.”