Greater Manchester Police improvement in fighting crime

Date article online: 24/10/2006

Greater Manchester Police has shown significant improvement in many areas according to the latest assessment of the service it provides.

In all 21 areas that were graded in the Baseline Assessment Report 2005/6 from Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) the Force is categorised as improved or stable. And GMP has once again received two 'excellent' ratings for key areas of dealing with critical incidents and major crime, and in tackling serious and organised crime.

Fourteen areas were graded as good and six were rated as fair in the report published on Tuesday 24 October.

Deputy Chief Constable Dave Whatton said: "To receive two excellent ratings, and to be shown as improving in so many areas is a major achievement. We have had significant reductions in the crimes that affect local people - burglary, robbery and car crime - something the report highlights.

"We have a strong track record of success in tackling the most serious and organised criminals and major crime. I am delighted that this has once again been acknowledged by the inspectors.

"The men and women of GMP have had a major impact on the quality of life in Greater Manchester and the report is a clear recognition of how far we have come in the last four years."

In the report GMP was recognised for three areas of good practice: the creation of the Major Incident Team, the Leadership Programme and the GRIP performance management process.

GMP was also the first force outside London to establish an Anti-Terrorist Unit. The Force continues to be focused on providing effective local policing and is boosting neighbourhood policing.

Only 'contact management' was ranked as poor but the inspectors had identified significant improvements. The major project of work that is underway to improve the Force's call handling and contact with the public was recognised.

The report states that both the handling of 999 and calls to the 0161 872 5050 switchboard number have both improved during the last year.

In a summary of the report it states: "The force has made significant reductions in levels of crime." And adds "the force is seen as an exemplar of best practice in investigating organised crime and counter-terrorism and wants to be at the forefront of developing shared support services between forces."