Report crime . . . by appointment!

GREATER Manchester Police is rolling out a new customer-focused appointment system across the force.

It is hoped the new system will make it easier for people to report non-emergency incidents and allow officers to provide a speedier response to more serious crimes.

The Public Service Team arranges an appointment at a convenient time for the resident.

An officer will visit their home, speak over the phone or meet at a police station.

This means people don’t have to stay in to wait for officers who may have been diverted to a more urgent incident.

The new system has been introduced following a successful pilot scheme and is part of what GMP describes as its ongoing work to provide a high-quality policing service for the people of Greater Manchester.

Busy

Ian Hopkins, assistant chief constable for public protection, said: “The Public Service Teams have been set up because we recognise that people lead busy lives and it may be inconvenient for them to wait in for an officer to take a report of a crime.

“The teams arrange a mutually convenient time for an appointment or to provide information over the phone.

“People have really welcomed this because it means they can fit the appointment into their day.

“We are committed to providing the best possible service and the Public Service Teams help us to achieve this as part of the standards set out in the policing pledge.”