Plan for a safer, stronger Greater Manchester unveiled

"Standing Together”, sets out the key priorities for building community safety across Greater Manchester over the next three years.

Produced in partnership with a wide range of people and organisations across Greater Manchester, the plan is aimed at everyone with a stake in community safety – not only the police, but also the criminal justice system, the health services local councils, voluntary groups and local people.

It comes as Mayor Andy Burnham and Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Beverley Hughes have restated their commitment to community safety by increasing policing numbers in Greater Manchester for the first time in eight years, pledging to protect Police Community Support Officer numbers, and promising to make improvements to the non-emergency 101 number.

The three-year strategy focuses on three main priorities:

• To keep people safe - for those who live, work, socialise and travel in Greater Manchester, as well as protecting those who are vulnerable.
• To reduce harm and offending – preventing anti-social and criminal behavior by intervening earlier and rehabilitating offenders.
• To strengthen communities and places – by helping to build resilient communities and strengthening the delivery of public assets.

The plan’s publication follows an extensive consultation and engagement process with the people who use the services, as well as the wide variety of people in different organisations who provide them. This includes police, local authorities, community safety partners, health services and voluntary and community groups.

More than 3,500 people responded during the consultation process – with 80% saying the priorities set the right tone for the coming years.

The plan was launched at an event that brought together key stakeholders to discuss how it will be brought to life with a robust delivery plan.

Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham said: “The plan comes at a challenging time for Greater Manchester Police, as central Government continue to make drastic cuts to the budgets for the police, local authorities and other public services. Despite these cuts, and ever increasing demands for its services, Greater Manchester Police has remained incredibly resilient. They deserve better, as do local communities.

“I am committed to building on the hard work and dedication of our police officers, communities and all our partner organisations, to make our communities safer and increase public confidence in the criminal justice system, while continuing to lobby Government to ensure our police service is properly funded.”

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, Beverley Hughes added: “It’s important to say that this is not a plan for the police alone. The extent and increasing complexity of many of the problems facing families and communities demand a multi-agency response. I am confident that the main priorities we first proposed are the right ones, and the results of the public consultation has confirmed this.

“In order to achieve our ambition for better policing, community safety and criminal justice services in Greater Manchester we must work together. No single organisation or community acting alone can keep people safe, reduce harm and build cohesive, strong communities.

“By working to achieve these priorities, we can help to make Greater Manchester one of the best places in the world to grow up, get on and grow old.”

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Ian Hopkins said: “Policing is now more complex than ever before with officers dealing with everything from terrorism and serious crime through to burglary and anti-social behaviour.

“We are facing new threats to safety with emerging problems including online crime, terrorism and modern slavery. But at the same time we still receive calls for help with burglaries, robberies and incidents of vehicle crime.

“Every day there are around 3,000 calls for help and at the same time we have seen financial constraints that have led to the loss of 2,000 police officers. It is why we are looking to transform policing and find new ways of working that will mean despite the challenges we can still provide the best possible service to people across Greater Manchester.”

Lead Chief Executive for Police and Crime, Pat Jones-Greenhalgh said: “As interim Chief Executive with portfolio responsibility for community safety, I will work closely with the police, other chief executives, elected members and officers to support the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to make a positive difference to people’s lives.

“The development of an outcomes framework for the plan will give us a clear picture of progress. I will encourage the use of problem-solving approaches using the right organisations, with the right resources to take a lead.

“Shared learning of successes and challenges will be another priority for me, so that all Greater Manchester citizens can reap the benefits of feeling safer where they live, work and visit.”