GMP crisis - 'We want to ensure confidence in the police is restored'

A damning report revealed officers had failed to record 80,000 crimes in a single year

The Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, Bev Hughes, and the Chair of the Police, Crime and Fire Panel, Councillor Nigel Murphy, have met with Greater Manchester’s policing and crime leads, local authority scrutiny chairs and other elected members to discuss the recent HMICFRS inspection regarding Greater Manchester Police’s services to victims.

The meeting followed an announcement made by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor Hughes last week after the publication of Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS)’s damning report 'Greater Manchester Police - Victim Service Assessment (VSA)'.

It was revealed officers had failed to record 80,000 crimes in a single year, and led to the swift resignation of GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.

Councillor Murphy said: “Yesterday was a constructive meeting which gave an opportunity for the discussion of the recent HMIC report and I am pleased Acting Chief Constable Ian Pilling was also able to attend.

"The meeting provided an opportunity for us to update local representatives from across the city-region about the report’s findings and the actions being taken with the support of the Inspectorate.

"The meeting also provided an opportunity for those in attendance to ask questions and we are grateful to those who raised their concerns with us.

"Councillors expressed high confidence in their local policing teams, and there was constructive dialogue surrounding building and strengthening public trust in policing.”

The Deputy Mayor added: “We have already instigated a series of actions, including the launch of the Greater Manchester Crime Support Line, which has been up and running since Monday.

"As well as offering support to victims of crime via existing services, the line offers assistance to victims who wish to report a crime if it has not been recorded in the past as it should have been.

"We would encourage victims who have concerns or need support to get in touch and details can be found at: www.gmvictims.org.uk or: www.greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk or by calling 0808 1968416.

“Further action includes a programme of refresher training which every GMP sergeant will go through by the end of January and every frontline officer will complete by the end of March, focusing on recording compliance, investigations and victim care.

“I am receiving regular reports to monitor the actions to ensure that progress is being made quickly and effectively enough.

"We very much want to ensure that our communities are kept updated on this progress and we are committed to continue with further meetings to update MPs and leaders.

"We want to ensure confidence in the police is restored, that victims of crime in Greater Manchester get the support they need, and that mistakes of the past don’t happen again.”

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.