Crime at its lowest level since the turn of the millennium

GMP Logo

Crime in Greater Manchester has fallen to its lowest level since the turn of the millennium.

Between April 2010 and March 2011, there were 20,000 fewer victims of crime in Greater Manchester when compared to the same period the previous year.

The Force has its lowest level of crime since 1999-2000, recording 227,855 crimes during the last year - a drop of eight per cent. The Force has put this decrease down to public support.

Firearm discharges are at their lowest levels since recording began in 2003/04, signalling an end of the gun crime label that Manchester once had.

The number of reports of antisocial behaviour, burglary, robbery, criminal damage, and vehicle crime are all at their lowest levels for five years.

In 2010, the Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) set 10 priority targets for the Force. Seven of these have been achieved, and the Force is well on track to hit the final three.

More than eight in 10 people believe the Force is doing a good job in fighting crime.

Latest neighbourhood surveys also show the number residents who perceive there is a high level of antisocial behaviour has dropped.

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "These figures show we are succeeding in tackling the issues that our communities have told us matter the most.

"We have brought crime down to its lowest level since the millennium. Detection rates are up but, just as importantly, we are making people feel safer and less fearful of crime. An issue that can impact on everyone's life is antisocial behaviour and it is pleasing to see that people's perception of this happening on their streets has fallen.

"We receive extremely positive feedback from local people, councillors and organisations who are seeing real improvements in policing in Greater Manchester.

"Since 2009 we have put more than 500 extra officers into neighbourhood teams so officers can really get into the heart of communities. If people work with us then we can act upon the issues raised by local people and take necessary action. I would ask people to talk to their local officers or to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Over the past year GMP has introduced 'nerve centres' on each division, which have speeded up the way officers respond to crime. Influenced by the way the military runs its war rooms, these centres provide minute-by-minute information about any incidents, allowing officers to coordinate their approach and promptly tackle those committing crime.

They also have a customer service desk to keep victims up-to-date with any crimes or incidents they have reported.

Chief Constable Fahy added: "The budget reductions have inevitably had an impact on our Force, but despite this we are continuing to set ourselves challenging targets to further reduce crime. Every day I see lots of outstanding work by officers resulting in many serious and determined criminals being put behind bars."

Councillor Paul Murphy, Chairman of Greater Manchester Police Authority, said: "This is welcome news for the people of Greater Manchester. These figures clearly demonstrate that GMP has made significant progress in tackling the issues that matter the most to our communities.

"We need to ensure that we build on this achievement and continue to deliver improvements in all areas of GMP's work. The Police Authority will continue to play its role to support and robustly challenge the force to achieve this."

The following figures are based on comparisons from April 2009-March 2010 and April 2010-March 2011:

• Total crime has dropped from 247,574 to 227,855, a drop of eight per cent meaning 19,719 fewer victims of crime
• There have been 54,000 fewer reported incidents of antisocial behaviour.
• There have been 7,400 fewer victims of vehicle crime 
• The number of domestic burglaries has dropped by more than 1,700
• There have been nearly 1,400 more detected crimes
• The number of murders dropped by four, from 31 to 27
• Firearm discharges are down by nearly a quarter and are at their lowest level since this type of crime started to be recorded in 2003/04
• Gang-related firearms discharges have dropped from 13 to three - a reduction of nearly 77 percent
• The number of robberies has dropped to just under 4,900, compared to more than 6,000 the previous year and nearly 7,700 in 2006/07.
• The Force has hit seven of its 10 targets set by the GMPA, which include reducing both incidents and perceptions of anti-social behaviour, reducing vehicle crime and improving detection rates for domestic abuse, racially or religiously aggravated offences, burglaries and vehicle crime.