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Proof bobbies on beat works
Dean Kirby

April 29, 2009

CRIME has been slashed in an inner city area of Manchester after bobbies went back on the beat.

Robberies, burglaries, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are all down by more than a FIFTH since daily foot patrols were brought back in Gorton.

Now their success is being hailed as a victory for traditional `bobbies on the beat' policing. They have been recognised as one of the best neighbourhood policing units in England and their achievements are to be shared with forces across the country.

The Gorton South unit includes five police constables, one sergeant and two community support officers.

Each officer was given several streets to patrol each day. They got to know the names of residents and troublemakers and worked at tackling problems that most concerned local people.

One of the five constables, Pc Naomi Lyons, 29, said: "When you come into work in the morning and you hear that there's been a burglary on your patch, it's personal."

Priority neighbourhoods

Burglaries in Gorton South have dropped 16.8 per cent year-on-year, robberies by 17.6 per cent, criminal damage by 20 per cent and anti-social behaviour by 20.5 per cent. Thefts from cars have dropped by 36 per cent.

The officers also target antisocial behaviour, such as graffiti and neighbourhood nuisance, which would usually not be their responsibility.

Gorton South is one of 32 so-called `priority neighbourhoods' - areas identified by police for high levels of crime or anti-social behaviour increased levels of deprivation or where confidence in the police is low.

Similar neighbourhood policing is being used in all these areas.

Insp Damian O'Reilly, from Gorton and Levenshulme Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "By working closely with other organisations and the local community, we have achieved significant reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour.

"The results of local neighbourhood surveys show that people are increasingly happy with the work that we're doing and are more willing to participate in community initiatives and to improve their local environment."

The officers are working with other organisations including Manchester Council, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Trading Standards, the Probation Service, youth services, and housing associations such as Eastlands Homes and William Sutton Homes.

The neighbourhood policing team is one of 12 across England hailed as an `exemplar site' and praised by a panel of experts

Tremendous passion

Ass Chief Con Rob Taylor said: "The fact that Gorton South has been chosen as a national exemplar site shows that already the investment in priority neighbourhoods is paying off."

He said the team had `tremendous passion and drive' and added: "The local community is also working hard alongside the police and other agencies to make Gorton a safer place."

Chris Williams from the National Policing Improvement Agency said Gorton South was an `excellent example' of what can be achieved by a `joined up approach' to tackling local issues.

Coun Paul Murphy, chairman of the Greater Manchester Police Authority, said: "We firmly believe in neighbourhood policing. The deal has provided extra officers for all divisions in Greater Manchester in addition to extra officers for 32 priority neighbourhoods including Gorton South."

"The fact that the area has been highlighted as an area of best practice is proof that these officers are making a real difference.

"It also shows that the decision taken by GMPA to increase investment in neighbourhood policing is the right one."