Concerning news has been revealed about a failure to report 80,000 crimes in 12 months in Greater Manchester. Over one in five of all crimes reported to the police in Greater Manchester are not making it onto the books. The position is worse when it comes to recording violence against the person, where more than one in four crimes are not being recorded. Domestic abuse often lies behind these types of crimes of violence, meaning that the victims are especially vulnerable.
While the report from the police inspectorate does not reference the force’s troubled new computer system, iOPS, issues with its impact on referrals from safeguarding agencies have been flagged previously by councils. It is important that we remember that this is not a failure of the police officers on our streets, this is a failure of leadership from Mayor Andy Burnham and his team. Keeping the people of Greater Manchester safe is a fundamental part of government and this report clearly states that they have failed.
Deputy mayor Beverley Hughes, who oversees policing on behalf of Andy Burnham, said: “It is absolutely critical that the general public has faith in the processes used by the police to record incidences of crime. Some of the findings in this HMICFRS report are extremely disappointing."
Back in March, Andy Burnham was told to take responsibility for the failure of the new iOPS system and he has failed to make the required changes.
This is not acceptable and I am joining with the other Greater Manchester Conservative MP's to request a meeting with the Home Secretary to discuss what needs to be done to correct the failings of Mayor Burnham and Deputy Mayor for Policing Beverley Hughes.
