GMP make significant improvements, but inspectorate reports that further changes are needed

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has made significant improvements since its last inspection, but the force still needs to improve its management of offenders and suspects, the police inspectorate has said.

His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) graded GMP’s performance across eight areas of policing and found the force was good in two areas, adequate in five areas and requires improvement in one area.

HMICFRS said the force works well with partners on prevention initiatives to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.

The inspectorate also found that GMP carried out a review of its neighbourhood policing model, which included consultation with communities, to improve visibility of the force within the community.

However, HMICFRS said the force needs to review how it monitors its requirement to visit registered sex offenders to make sure it quickly manages risk.

It also said that the force should ensure it consistently achieves acceptable outcomes for victims of crime.

His Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary's Michelle Skeer said: “I am pleased with some aspects of Greater Manchester Police’s performance in keeping people safe, reducing crime and providing victims with an effective service.

"The force has made significant improvements since we last inspected in 2021, but it recognises that there is still work to do.

“Our last inspection identified Greater Manchester Police’s positive changes and long-term plans.

"I am pleased that those plans have continued to help the force improve the service it provides to the public.

"Its leadership, governance and performance processes have increased both the productivity and proactivity of its officers.

“While there are still areas in which Greater Manchester Police needs to do better, I am optimistic that the force’s leadership and management will continue to provide further improvements.”

GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM has reacted positively to the inspectorate's findings.

He said: “Greater Manchester Police is no longer an underperforming force.

"It is a force to be reckoned with – one with good leadership and management, and one which is good at preventing and deterring crime; and disrupting serious and organised crime.

“This report reiterates the success of the plan – to focus on the basics, strengthen leadership, and improve performance – which propelled GMP out of special measures in the record time of just under two years in October 2022.

"Whilst we are delighted by the progress, it also paves the way for our next steps – which we have already begun to take.

"We do not believe that ‘adequate’ or ‘good’ are enough. We want to be ‘outstanding’ - the best police force in the country.

"We want to consistently deliver excellent policing services to the people of Greater Manchester, enabling them to have trust and confidence in those who have the privilege of keeping them safe.  

“It is evident that, in the 12 months since coming out of special measures, call handling and response policing, neighbourhood policing, and safeguarding have continued to evolve – with His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary recognising promising practice in each of these areas.

"However, it goes without saying that our journey to improvement is ongoing and involves sustaining the progress we have already made, whilst ensuring continuous development in the highlighted areas for improvement – not least the management of sex offenders and suspects, which I can confirm has advanced since the inspection. 

“On behalf of myself and the chief officers, I have already thanked officers and staff for their hard work and our thanks extend to our communities and partners – who continuously support us on our journey.

"You have our commitment that our quest does not end here.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, added: “I am hugely encouraged with today’s His Majesty’s Inspectorate report which shows just how much of a turnaround GMP has made since it went into special measures in 2020 and since the 2021 inspection.

“When I appointed Stephen Watson as Chief Constable two years ago, I was very clear that I wanted GMP to focus on the people’s priorities of neighbourhood crime and rebuilding their relationships with local communities.

"Thanks to local taxpayers who helped fund the improvements through the police precept, we now have embedded neighbourhood police teams, we’ve seen calls being handled in record time, arrests are up, while tackling organised crime through Operation Vulcan and Operation Avro have netted huge results.

“I am proud of the work the Chief Constable, his leadership team, frontline officers and all the staff at GMP for what they have achieved.

"I know there is more to be done and I have every confidence Greater Manchester will soon have the outstanding force they deserve.”

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