Figures reveal rise in Manchester's violent crime
Stats show increase in violent crime across the region since 2015.
Statistics released by Greater Manchester Police show an increase in violent crime reports compared to previous years.
The annual figures which are updated each month on the GMP website show a surge in nearly all types of crimes including an increase by almost 10,000 in reported violent acts at 59,683 (9,875 more than 2015.) Reports of sexual offences are also up by 771, robberies by 631 and homicides by 52, while overall 18,907 more crimes were reported.
The increase represents 24 offences being reported every hour. While most types of crime have seen an increase, reports of drug offences have fallen by 1,174. The overall increases come after years of cuts, with £180m cut from the Greater Manchester Police budget and the loss of 2,000 police officers.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Pilling said the increase was: “in-line with recent national trends and is due to improved compliance with national crime recording standards and increased victim confidence.”
He added: “Statistics are useful, but what is more important to us is the service we provide to individual victims of crime on a daily basis.” He added: “We are reassured that the people of Greater Manchester have the confidence to report when they have been a victims of crime and they know that we will be sensitive and take them seriously.”