Statement from Deputy Mayor Bev Hughes and Chair of Police, Crime and Fire Panel Cllr Nigel Murphy

Statement issued on behalf of Bev Hughes, Greater Manchester’s Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Criminal Justice and Fire, and the Chair of the Police, Crime and Fire Panel, Councillor Nigel Murphy

Yesterday (Wednesday 23 December), 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, convened a virtual meeting 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

Councillor Nigel 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 said: “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.”

Article Published: 24/12/2020 09:21 AM