Crime is Down And Solve Rates Are Up - GMP

A relentless fight against crime in Oldham and beyond is reaping significant rewards in keeping people safe – according to Greater Manchester Police.

All crime is down by 7.2 per cent in the past 12 months compared to the previous 12 months – 25,000 fewer crimes – while there have been 18,735 fewer victims – more than 50 people a day. 

There are 350 fewer burglaries each month compared to 2021, as well as a significant reduction in vehicle crime. 

Greater Manchester Police confirmed that they were one of the best forces in the country at answering 999 calls at an average of 2 seconds, down from 47 seconds in May 2021. 

Speaking on his latest BBC Radio Manchester hotseat, GMP Chief Constable, Stephen Watson, said 'we will do all we can to bring people to justice’. 

GMP has around 670 Neighbourhood Police Officers at Constable rank since CC Watson announced his vision for neighbourhood policing two years ago. 

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle, GMP’s lead for Local Policing, explained: “It is hugely satisfying to see significant reductions in neighbourhood crime and delivering results for our communities. 

“At the same time as reducing crime volume, we have also seen increases in the rates of crime being solved. 

“We are under no illusion that there is still much more to do to keep driving these reductions. 

“These statistics are evidence of GMP’s commitment to neighbourhood policing and are a credit to the work of our neighbourhood policing teams in identifying and solving problems as well as the dedicated neighbourhood crime team, who work tirelessly to bring offenders to justice. 

“We have had plenty of success in recent weeks and have moved Operation Vulcan into Oldham. 

“The launch of this operation has seen a team of dedicated officers and partners carrying out sustained, strategic disruptive activity to directly combat the issues in Derker that the community tells us are affecting them the most."

He added: “In Trafford, we arrested a suspected car thief in Sale at the weekend and have seized several off-road bikes in Carrington and Partington. 

"A targeted operation also saw off-road bikes seized in Wigan while neighbourhood officers were responsible for uncovering a cannabis farm following a tip-off from the public in Bolton. 

"The neighbourhood officers are out and about across Greater Manchester every day, listening to the concerns from the communities we serve."