Levels of crime are down

9:00am Wednesday 30th April 2008

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GREATER Manchester Police (GMP) has recorded 32,744 fewer victims of crime in the past year.

According to the latest figures released by Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA) total crime up to the end of March 2008 is down 9.8 per cent.

The statistics, published also showed domestic burglary is down 11.1 per cent, which is 2,699 fewer victims, robbery is down 9.4 per cent meaning 799 fewer victims, vehicle crime is down 19.1 per cent meaning10,377 fewer victims and violent crime is down 9.1 per cent, which is 3,138 fewer victims.

In turn there has been an increase of 4.4 per cent in the number of offenders brought to justice.

Assistant Chief Constable (ACC) Dave Thompson said: "I am delighted that we have been able to make Greater Manchester safer. The results of the past year have only been possible with the hard work and dedication of everyone in GMP and with the support of our partner agencies. We are committed to driving crime down even further and to making a difference to neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester. There is still work to do and we have further challenging targets for the next year.

"But the achievements of the past 12 months are something I am proud of and know that with partners and the support of local people we can build on."

The performance figures for priorities in GMPA's Annual Policing Plan also show there were 31 fewer cash in transit robberies, 24 more firearm discharges and eight more robberies from financial institutions.

ACC Thompson said he was pleased with an increase in the detection rate to 25.3 per cent.

He added: "It is encouraging that there have been fewer crimes but more of them are being detected."

Full details of all crime statistics are being collated and will be published in the summer.