Local people’s views help shape policing priorities

Reducing violence, stealing and road casualties top the policing priority list for the next 12 months.

Protecting vulnerable people, reducing anti-social behaviour and tackling organised crime will also be the focus for Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA).

These priorities, and what GMP will do to achieve them, are outlined in the Policing Plan for 2012-13 and reflect the views of local people.

The policing priorities include:

• Counter the threat of organised crime and terrorism
• Reduce and solve crime
• Help keep people safe
• Reduce anti-social behaviour
• Increase confidence in policing
• Deliver value for money

The plan also includes the tough targets set by Greater Manchester Police Authority to help keep track of progress in tackling the issues of greatest concern and ensure that GMP continues to improve.

Ten key targets have been set, including:

• Reduce violent crime by 8%
• Reduce domestic burglary by 2%
• Solve 45% of hate crime
• Improve overall satisfaction with the police service provided by GMP to 87%

Cllr Paul Murphy, Chairman of GMPA, said: “Over the last 12 months, thousands of people have told us their policing priorities, with tackling organised crime and terrorism, cracking down on domestic and child abuse, and detecting and arresting offenders top of the list. These views have helped us set the Force ambitious goals for the forthcoming year, building on the success that has seen crime in Greater Manchester fall to its lowest level for over a decade.

“I am confident that GMP will rise to the challenge and the Police Authority will continue to scrutinise and drive performance to ensure that we leave a very positive and lasting legacy for the incoming Police and Crime Commissioner.”

Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "We have seen significant reductions in burglary and robbery over recent years, more than some other city forces, but crimes of violence, many of them fuelled by alcohol, have stayed stubbornly high. I am also very concerned at the number of people killed on our roads. Our approach to tackle these issues will be to concentrate on the repeat offenders and ensuring we make best use of information from the public.

"Much crime is easily prevented and it is crucial that we concentrate on reducing demands on the service. This will mean us working with businesses and other agencies to identify how we can solve problems and reduce opportunities for the criminals. There is obvious concern about the budget cuts to the Force but we are determined the criminal will not have an easier time."

This is the final Policing Plan to be issued by Greater Manchester Police Authority, which will be replaced by an elected Police and Crime Commissioner in November 2012.

The Policing Plan priorities are set following consultation with local residents and businesses, local authorities and other key partner agencies.

The Policing Plan 2012-13 is available online at www.gmpa.gov.uk/policingplans

To get involved in helping to shape the policing priorities for 2013-14, take part in our policing priorities online survey or visit the GMPA engagement team when they’re out and about. Visit www.gmpa.gov.uk/involved to find out more.