Greater Manchester Police has reported a drop of 10,000 crimes in the past year, alongside a sharp rise in solved cases, as the force sets its sights on delivering a safer 2026.
Figures for 2025 show significant reductions in burglary, robbery and knife crime, while the number of crimes solved rose by 6,500 compared to the previous year, a 15% increase.
GMP credits its ‘back to basics’ approach, introduced by Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson in 2021, with transforming performance and public trust. The force now answers 999 calls in an average of five seconds and responds to emergencies in just under eight minutes.
More than 70,000 arrests were made in 2025, more than double the number before Sir Stephen’s appointment. This includes around 23,000 domestic abuse suspects, with over 7,000 victims supported through the justice system last year.
The rollout of more than 500 Domestic Abuse Protection Orders since November 2024 has expanded the tools available to protect victims, while domestic abuse-related crime dropped by 3.5%.
Retail crime remained steady, but GMP now solves around 500 shoplifting offences each month, a 534% increase on 2021.
Sir Stephen Watson said: “This year’s continued reductions in crime and increases in outcomes show what relentless, community‑focused policing can achieve, fewer victims, safer streets and a force that’s delivering at pace and to a standard the public deserves.”
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, praised the force’s progress: “After years of sustained pressure, Greater Manchester Police is back to where it should be – with the highest number of officers since 2010, and named neighbourhood policing teams in every community.”
GMP says its proactive tactics, including Operation Vulcan and monthly Operation Avro, are key to tackling local problems. Knife crime fell by 13% in 2025 and firearms offences by 38%, with more weapons taken off the streets than in any year since 2020.
Neighbourhood crime teams, prevention hubs and local tasking teams operate across every district, including Rochdale, where recent domestic abuse crackdowns led to 23 arrests and increased support for victims.
Across the force, nearly 65,000 people and vehicles were stopped in the past year, leading to the seizure of 22,500 vehicles and more than 677 weapons.
However, hate crime rose by more than 10%, prompting renewed pledges to act. Reports of organised immigration crime and modern slavery also increased by 10%, with GMP saying the rise reflects greater awareness and trust in reporting mechanisms.
Deputy Mayor for Policing, Kate Green, said: “Faster emergency responses, more crimes solved and a proactive approach to reducing harm are all signs that GMP are continuing the remarkable improvements of recent years.”
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