Crime: One in eight chance

David Ottewell

November 02, 2007

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131 offences for every 1,000 people

GREATER Manchester has more recorded crime per person than anywhere else in the country, the M.E.N. can reveal.

Shock new figures released by the Home Office show 131 offences for every 1,000 people in the area in 2006-07.

That means residents had a greater than one in eight chance of being a victim of crime. The figure is higher than the Metropolitan police force area in London (124), Merseyside (114) and West Midlands (108). Of the 43 force areas in England and Wales, only Nottingham had rates as high as Greater Manchester.

It is the first time the region has topped the list since 2000-01.

Crime rates recorded by officers have actually fallen since then, when they stood at 141 per 1,000 people, but other forces have improved their performances more quickly.

Greater Manchester was also one of only 11 areas with higher rates in 2006-07 than 2005-06, when it was 128 per 1,000.

The figures, from Home Office minister Tony McNulty, come just weeks after Greater Manchester Police was forced to defend its performance in unofficial `league tables' based on official inspection reports.

The tables gave marks depending on a force's performance in seven key categories. GMP was rated second bottom with Humberside, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Thames Valley on seven points out of 21. Lancashire was top alongside Surrey, with 18.

Simplistic and damaging

Deputy chief constable Dave Whatton slammed the tables at the time as `simplistic and damaging', saying they did not compare like-for-like forces and that some of the criteria used for gradings were contradictory.

GMP won marks for efficiency, but lost marks for cutting front-line bobbies - even though the cuts were due to the efficiency savings.

GMP attacked the new figures, saying they were `not straightforward to interpret' and pointing out higher recorded crime rates might indicate more effective policing.

A spokeswoman said the most up-to-date figures showed a 13 per cent cut in all crimes compared to last year.

"The more operational policing being carried out, the more crime is recorded," she said. "The figures represent a great deal of operational activity on the streets.

"There has, however, been a steady reduction in the number of crimes."

Shadow Home Secretary David Davis said: "Labour's plethora of targets means they are often treating twisted priorities and soft targets, instead of dealing with serious crimes that make people's lives a misery."

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changebritain.wordpress.com/ (02/11/2007 at 09:15)

All the politicians seem to be worried about are the figures, so as long as they twist them the way they want, nothing will change.

Crime may be recorded more now, but that doesn't mean it isn't a major problem.

The one thing I would ask this government and the Police force to do, is to make the streets safe.

Every time there is an incident now, we get reports that 'high visibility patrols are now in the area to reassure residents'.

Well, blow me; so they think that more officers on the streets IS a good idea, but they only do that when there has already been an incident.

We need to get these 'high visibility' patrols on the streets at all times until we can get the crime out of our society.

alvinlwh (02/11/2007 at 09:40)

The only time you see police officers on the streets is AFTER a crime had happen. They will turn up to "reassure" the public. There is not much to reassure anyone after a crime is there?

Mark, South Manchester (02/11/2007 at 09:47)

Strange isn't it how GMP will openly congratulate themselves in the media when crime figures are shown to be falling. But when they are seen to be rising, hypocritically GMP will then attack the "same" survey - as untrustworthy, irrelevant or nothing to do with them!

tenpinteri (02/11/2007 at 13:25)

I think its no coincidence that things have gone worse in the last twelve months.Its only last year that the dog handlers were stripped down to beyond bare bones.Taking GMP's best prevention tool off the sreets is now showing results.

Enigma, Trafford (02/11/2007 at 13:35)

Hmmm I think everyone is missing the point a little bit by throwing the blame at GMP.

Is it not members of the Greater Manchester public that are committing all this crime?

Is it not more of a sad indictment of the general population than the police?

About time the rest of us were more critical of the scum that we know!

Black Flag (02/11/2007 at 14:51)

"That means residents had a greater than one in eight chance of being a victim of crime."

Not necessarily. It all depends on what the definition of crime is.

If offences which have no victim, such as possession of drugs, are being included, then the chance of being a victim will be far less than one in eight.

The government has created so many new criminal offences over the past ten years, that most of these reports become meaningless.

Letsjumpship, Roe Green (02/11/2007 at 15:49)

Maybe its because we dont have any Police on the beat anymore.
Mind you we do have the PCSOs to look after us instead. Unless you happen to fall in a pond that is.

It wouldnt surprise me if the Gov take the hard working Police dog off the beat soon. Only to replace them with civilian Jack Russels in Hi Vis vests.

This country has definitely gone to the dogs.

come-on-city (02/11/2007 at 17:12)

It seems in this report that stealing sweets from shops is also included.

So dont start the panic buttons just yet.

I agree with an earlier post that said police are there after a crime is committed.

I called the police the other day as some men were quite clearly up to no good and looking for trouble, I was told only after a crime was committed could they do anything.

Maybe more preventative measures should be considered.

Pentest (02/11/2007 at 17:53)

Well Mr.Todd, you must be really proud of your achievments in the Greater Manchester Area. I don't know about this Sir Ian Blair resigning, I think that Todd should resign forthwith and lets get someone in who can deliver the goods. Not a politician who can only talk about it and fabricate figures.

jonah, usa (02/11/2007 at 19:02)

Fatherless families. Pregnant GIRLS being consoled and treated like heros. Thank you Labour governments for encouraging this behaviour and creating a society of miscreants.

David, Manchester (04/11/2007 at 11:55)

You hear all the time that the police have a lot of bureaucracy if they arrest one person, a lot of form filling. PCSO's at least are visible in the streets. I also think if there is a crackdown on low level crime like throwing litter and begging then there will be less crime in general.

Saint, Middleton (04/11/2007 at 13:49)

I've got more bad news, the truth of the matter is this, people don't bother reporting most crimes unless they have to i.e. to get a crime reference number for insurance purposes. I wouldn't report a theft of my car sterio, theft from my shed, or indeed, attempted thefts that failed and I kept my valubles. Thats because I know the police are too busy and wont bother acting on my complaint, hence the `so called' low figures.

Then we move on to the crimes committed in criminal circles, extortion (business's paying for protection etc), violence towards debters, money laundering, the slave trade (prostitution), loan sharks etc etc etc, crimes committed by criminals - on criminals - don't get reported either.

I also forgot to mention on-line crimes that affect millions, I bet these arn't incuded in these figures. So take into account all of the above, then these figures wouldn't be shocking, they would be highly disturbing.

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