Figures show crime reduction across Greater Manchester

Antisocial behaviour in Greater Manchester has dropped more than 21 per cent in the last six months, alongside reductions in robbery, vehicle crime and domestic burglary.

There have been 25,639 fewer victims of antisocial behaviour between April and September 2010 and recorded crimes for robbery, vehicle crime and domestic burglary are at their lowest levels in 10 years.

Perceptions of high levels of antisocial behaviour are also down nearly 28 per cent.

Figures released today, Monday 18 October 2010, show the previous six month crime figures, showing there have been 12,254 fewer victims of crime compared to the same period last year, a reduction of nearly 10 per cent.

Deputy Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "I am so pleased to be able to say that crime and antisocial behaviour continues to fall across Greater Manchester and we remain committed to making our communities a safer place to live."

Gun crime has also been significantly reduced with the number of firearm discharges down 20.5 percent, which is the lowest level since the force started collecting data in April 2003.

Detection rates for serious acquisitive crime, burglary, robbery, vehicle crime and domestic abuse are also at their best since 2005.

Public confidence levels have increased by more than 15 per cent for the year ending March 2010, compared to the previous 12 months according to the British Crime Survey.

DCC Byrne continued: "What is particularly pleasing to see is our focus on creating larger neighbourhood teams is succeeding, we are getting into the heart of communities and officers are responding directly to issues raised by members of the public.

"There is of course still more work to be done and I want to reassure the public that we will never become complacent and are under no illusions that crime is still too high. We have set ourselves challenging targets that we will continue to strive to achieve."

There have been 33,527 fewer victims of crime for the year October 2009 and September 2010, compared to the previous 12 months, a reduction of nearly 13 per cent.

GMPA Chairman Councillor Paul Murphy said, "It's encouraging to see that the Force has responded well to demand placed on it in recent months to address unsatisfactory performance. Things are moving in the right direction right across the board and I'm delighted the Police Authority has been pro-actively involved in working with the Force to put measures in place which are clearly beginning to deliver continuous improvement.

"GMPA's role has been primarily focused on robustly challenging, scrutinising and holding the force to account for performance. The people of Greater Manchester can rest assured we will continue with this work and hope to see these early signs of success maintained and built upon."

Figures show that from April to September 2010:

• Vehicle crime (theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle and theft from a vehicle) is down by 24 percent, with 3,980 fewer victims
• Robbery is down by 21.2 percent, with 638 fewer victims
• Violence against the person has been reduced by 10.1 percent with 1,094 fewer victims
• Domestic burglary has reduced by 9.8 percent, with 993 fewer victims