CRIME is on the rise in Greater Manchester for the first time in twenty years.
"These figures indicate that the government’s reckless programme of cuts are damaging our communities."
The latest crime statistics released by the Office For National Statistics has found there to be a 1% crime increase over the past twelve months.
The increase in crimes was noted particularly in theft offences, including burglary, mobile phone theft and shoplifting.
(Read our recent MCR Personal Theft Hotspots article here).
Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said, "Crimes such as shoplifting and theft are symptomatic of the societal pressures that many people in our communities face.
"It is not surprising that when so many people have got into serious debt due to things like the bedroom tax, a small number turn to crime. Of course, it doesn’t excuse any criminal activity, and the vast majority of people in this country are decent, law-abiding citizens, no matter what their financial situation."
He continued, "It is also of concern that many of the crimes where we have seen an increase, such as shoplifting or theft of mobile phones, are what you could call ‘entry-level’ offences where criminals start before moving on to crimes like burglary.
"These figures indicate that the government’s reckless programme of cuts are damaging our communities. It is time for the government to face up to its responsibilities and stop endangering the good work carried out by police, other agencies and communities to build safer neighbourhoods."
More figures out today show that detection rates are falling in Greater Manchester, which could be viewed as a direct result of government cuts. According to Greater Manchester Police, there are now almost 1,500 fewer police officers on the streets of Greater Manchester compared to 2010.
Tony LloydHowever, it isn't all bad news. The statistics show there has been a decrease in assaults where the victim is injured by 4%. This is the opposite to the national trend which saw the figure rise by 3%.
Lloyd added, "The public is bound to be anxious that detection rates are falling and police officer numbers have got to be a factor in that. Every day I see the great work that Greater Manchester Police officers and staff do, but the thin blue line can only be stretched so far."
Greater Manchester Police’s Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy, said: "Statistics are important but are not an end in themselves and we concentrate on those crimes which pose the greatest risk to the public, particularly where people are attacked in their own homes.
"We have worked hard to increase the level of recording in certain crimes such as domestic violence and this explains some but not all of the increase in overall crime.
“We must always remember that most crime is committed by a relatively small group of persistent offenders with criminal lifestyles and targeting these individuals is at the heart of our crime strategy."
