Greater Manchester Police has been taken out of special measures after making progress under its new Chief Constable, Stephen Watson. But the government's most senior inspector of police said the force "still had more to do" despite becoming the most improved in the country.
GMP was placed in special measures in December 2020 after a report revealed an estimated 80,000 crimes had not been properly recorded. The scandal cost the then chief constable Ian Hopkins his job. But under Mr Watson's leadership GMP has been notably more high-profile.
This has included Operation Avro where resources are thrown at one particular division in a regular crackdown on criminal targets. This week GMP revealed they had launched Operation Vulcan with the aim of bulldozing Manchester's infamous Counterfeit Street on Bury New Road.
His Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary has decided to remove GMP from special measures due to several improvements including: responding appropriately to the public and vulnerable people, including answering calls more quickly; better understanding its performance and the capability and capacity of its workforce, and providing better support for officers and staff; halving the number of open investigations, giving officers more time to focus on bringing offenders to justice; and more accurately recording crime.
His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Andy Cooke, said: “I am pleased with the progress that Greater Manchester Police has made so far. Whilst there is still more to do, I have decided to remove the force from our enhanced level of monitoring, known as Engage, and return it to routine monitoring.
“I am reassured by the plans Greater Manchester Police has in place to continue making improvements. The force will be inspected again during 2023, when we will assess its progress to make sure the people of Manchester are getting the service they deserve from their police force.”
Mr Watson said: "Our route into 'special measures' has been thoroughly analysed and much discussed. There are several reasons as to how we came to bear our recent travails, a failure of leadership principle amongst them. As I have stated repeatedly however, the fundamental failing was simply that we stopped doing the basics well, we stopped being the police and we stopped doing many of the things that our public have every right to expect.
"I have, however, from the very point of assuming command of the force last summer, been given ample evidence to assert that our recent difficulties do not bear a true reflection of the commitment, professionalism, and courage that are so abundantly to be found amongst the officers and staff of GMP.
"These qualities have come very powerfully to the fore in working to deliver our plan with precision and vigour. The coherence of the plan, the establishment of capable leadership at all levels and the development of effective ways to ensure that the whole force pulls together, have all played a part. Fundamentally however, our progress speaks to the determination, enthusiasm, and hard work of our staff.
"HMIC has quite rightly subjected the force to a tough process and have set the bar deliberately high. That our staff are succeeding so tangibly is something of which we can all be proud. The momentum being created reflects our status as the most improved Force in the country and gives confidence as to sustainability.
"Nothing in these welcome developments implies any complacency on our part. We fully recognise that much remains to improve still further. It does however represent a tangible and substantial step on our journey toward that to which we all aspire to be the finest Force in our country.
"The support from the public and our agency partners is very valuable and much appreciated. I thank our communities across Greater Manchester for keeping faith with GMP and I am confident that you too will recognise the fact that our recent difficulties are being put behind us with increasing pace and certainty. I look forward to sustaining GMP’s march forward and for us to continue to make our region a safer place to live, work and visit.”
During the 12 months to the end of September 2022, 23,483 GMP investigations resulted in a charge or summons, an increase of 42%. The force said in a statement: "This demonstrates that GMP is not only arresting the criminals, but ensuring that they are put through the full judicial process and face justice as appropriate."
Stop and Search is also being better utilised, with 2,528 people being stop searched in September 2022, a 275% increase on the year before, with 2,093 resulting in an arrest. This is a 101% increase on the previous year and complaints have reduced by 29%, "demonstrating an ethical and measured approach to this tactic." say the force.
