Response to HMICFRS Police Effectiveness report

Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has today (Thursday 22 March) published a report into how well police services are doing at keeping people safe and reducing crime.

In response to Greater Manchester Police being judged by inspectors as 'requiring improvement', Greater Manchester's Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Bev Hughes, said: “There are positives to take from the report, including GMP’s outstanding approach to tackling serious and organised crime and working in partnership to deal with complex issues such as mental health and reoffending.

“However, as is made clear throughout the report, GMP is facing ever increasing pressure to meet demand. I believe – as does GMP – that every victim of crime should receive an effective service. This is also vital if the public are to have confidence in our police service and we know we need to take steps to make sure vulnerable victims are not being put at risk.

“Greater Manchester people expect and deserve the best possible police service. It is disappointing that GMP have been found to ‘require improvement’ and I will be working with the Chief Constable to ensure the concerns raised by HMCIFRS are addressed. 

“We cannot, however, ignore the impact of Government cuts on a police service that has lost more than 2,000 police officers and 1,000 staff and PCSOs. Whilst I will continue to work with GMP to improve the service, the Government needs to take on board the findings of this report and realise the impact of their failure to fairly fund policing.”

You can read the full report on the HMICFRS website.