The police in Bury are NOT 'failing'

Correspondent Jean Allison is correct in identifying that a recent report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary rated Greater Manchester Police as "poor" in managing volume crime. However, I would like to put this into context.

The Inspectorate rated the force in 16 key areas. From these, GMP were rated as good in 10, fair in five and poor in only that one. Since the baseline assessment was carried out the GMP's performance has improved beyond all expectation.

Since the report was written, GMP has reduced volume crime considerably with 11,682 fewer victims of crime in the past 12 months compared to the previous year. In addition, the number of officers has risen to a record 8,000 and the public has still to see the full benefit of them. That's some improvement!

Here in Bury there has also been real change. Last year we reduced crime by 7.4 per cent, which means that during 2003/04 there were 1,661 fewer victims. At the same time we increased detections by 7.2 per cent.

Police officers are tackling those crimes which cause most concern to Bury residents with personal robbery being reduced by 33 per cent in the past six months, a commitment to deal positively with drunken violence, and police officers using new powers under Anti-Social Behaviour legislation.

There are still many challenges ahead and continuing to bring down crime and detect more offenders requires not only the dedication of hard-working officers and police staff but also the support of our communities, businesses and agencies.

GARRY SHEWAN,

chief superintendent,

Bury Division GMP.