Manchester Crime Wave Follows Labour's Police Cuts

11.05.32pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Aug 2006

John Leech MP and Withington Liberal Democrats are launching a petition to stop any further cuts in Police numbers, after shocking new crime figures for Greater Manchester showed that the area is paying the price for Labour's Police cuts.

Crime has risen by 6.4% in Greater Manchester after the Government's funding cuts to Greater Manchester Police led to a decrease of 216 Police officers.

There were a staggering 20,678 more victims of crime in Greater Manchester in the 12 months to July than in the previous twelve months. This includes an increase in victims of violent crime of over 5,000 - an astonishing 16.3% increase. Robberies were up by 13.9% (1)

The trend is reflected in figures for the South Manchester Division, which show higher levels of violent crime, burglaries and vehicle crime in the area than a year ago. The total number of reported crimes also rose in South Manchester. (1)

John Leech MP said:

"The Labour government has cut funding to our Police force, leading to fewer officers. Now we have a huge rise in crime in South Manchester. I am in no doubt that these two are linked. We are now suffering the effects of Labour's cuts."

"The Chief constable has said that he needs a minimum of 8,000 police officers to make progress in the fight against crime. The latest cuts have left our Police force with only 7,908, and the number is falling." (2)

"It is absolutely vital that we reverse Labour's plans for further cuts next year."

John Leech MP has been collecting petition signatures calling for the government to reverse further cuts, which are planned for next year. Over 700 people have already posted petitions to John. Now he, and Withington Liberal Democrats, are hitting the streets to sign up more support for the campaign to end the cuts to our Police force.

They will collecting signatures in Didsbury Village, Withington Village, Chorlton Centre and Burnage.

"We hope as many local people as possible sign our petition to put pressure on the Government to give our Police force a fighting chance to tackle crime in South Manchester." said John.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1) The latest crime statistics for Greater Manchester can be viewed at:

http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/pages/Stats-July06.htm

2) Figures for Greater Manchester police numbers can be viewed at:

http://www.gmp.police.uk/mainsite/0/CD41380EA7A5E540802571C7002C93BF/$file/2006_07%20-%20Force%20Strength%20Report%20(FTE)%20July%2006%20with%20Tables.pdf