Lowest crime rates for a decade

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Crime in Greater Manchester is at its lowest level for 10 years, according to the latest police figures for the past 12 months.

The results for the year from April 2009 to March 2010 show there have been 35,901 fewer victims of crime due to a 12.7 per cent reduction in crime across the region. It shows the impact operations, initiatives and changes to policing are having by cutting crime in major categories.

Figures show:

• Domestic burglary reduced by 15.2 per cent, 3,610 fewer victims 
• Robbery down by 14.9 per cent, 1,052 fewer victims
• Vehicle crime down 19.3 per cent, 7,592 fewer victims 
• Violence against the person with injury reduced by 9.2 per cent, 2,058 fewer victims

Gun crime has also been significantly reduced with the number of firearms discharges down 27.4 per cent in the 12 months. This is the lowest level in the last eight years according to figures back to April 2003.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "We have been continuing to make improvements to the service we provide which is reflected in the figures. But we know we need to do more and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and improve public confidence, and that is what we will do in the year ahead.

"Working with Greater Manchester Police Authority we have agreed some stretching targets to cut crime and improve public confidence in the next 12 months.

"We are moving more officers into neighbourhoods and are restating our commitment to meet the elements of the policing pledge. Officers will hold regular meetings to work with communities to identify priorities, will be visible on the streets and will keep you updated with what they are doing.

"There is an ambitious change programme underway and a new style of policing being introduced. These are helping us make the best use of officers and staff to provide the service people want."

Alongside the long term change programmes, a series of short term measures to boost performance were introduced in the first three months of 2010. This work led to the number of wanted people being cut by more than 50 per cent, officers identifying how to reduce bureaucracy, and improvements to the investigation of crime.

The Force has also faced many operational challenges during the past year including policing high profile football matches, many volatile protests, and political conferences.

Chief Constable Fahy added: "These all require careful planning and considerable resources, but cannot detract us from ensuring we are tackling what matters to communities, day in and day out.

"I have consciously put the Force under a lot of pressure to improve performance in key areas particularly targeting persistent offenders and getting them into the justice system. We are still under considerable scrutiny at a national level but we are showing improvements in all areas. Greater Manchester is a safer place but we have to maintain this reduction in crime over the long term."

GMP is committed to providing regular updates on performance to people across the region. The Force website will soon include statistics about the response times to calls for assistance across Greater Manchester.

An additional end of year report including crime figures, call handling statistics and latest data showing levels of confidence in the police will also be available to download from today.

GMPA Chairman Cllr Paul Murphy said: "GMPA's robust scrutiny processes ensure the Authority closely monitors GMP performance and regularly holds the chief constable to account we are therefore always fully aware of the current performance picture.

"In the past it is no secret that we have expressed disappointment in performance and demanded improvement and it is pleasing to see that the latest figures show policing in Greater Manchester is moving in the right direction and showing improvement.

"There is however more to do and we cannot and will not be complacent. We are determined that GMP will be the most effective force in the country and we will continue to work on behalf of all communities within Greater Manchester in partnership with the Force so this goal is achieved and maintained."