GMP’s Journey To Improvement: Protecting Vulnerable People

Greater Manchester Police is committed to protecting the most vulnerable people in the communities it serves.

Arrests for domestic abuse offences have increased significantly and Domestic Violence Protection Orders (DVPNs) are also up.

In addition, each of GMP’s 10 policing districts now has its own Complex Safeguarding Team led by a dedicated chief inspector.

Detective Chief Superintendent Michaela Kerr, GMP’s head of Public Protection, said: “Greater Manchester Police recognised it needed to improve its service to the most vulnerable victims of crime and ensure appropriate safeguarding is in place for both victims and offenders.

“We recognised we needed to provide more positive outcomes to victims and prioritise domestic abuse reports by identifying jobs that needed attendance.

“In the last 12 months, there has been a 12% increase in Domestic Abuse calls that required a grade 1 response, meaning that GMP officers have attended around 23,000 DA incidents where immediate threat was identified. Of those, over 19,000 were attended within 15 minutes and immediate police assistance provided.

“The number of domestic abuse reports in Greater Manchester has increased significantly, which demonstrates a renewed confidence and trust in GMP from victims coming forward, confident that we will take positive action to arrest offenders and maximise victim safety and safeguarding. 

“Over the past 12 months, we have arrested more than 15,000 DA perpetrators. This is an increase of 80%  on the same period between October 2020 and 2021 and continues to increase month on month, with the force having arrested over 1500 offenders in September alone this year. DVPNs are also up from 51 to 124 per month - a 140% increase compared to two years ago

“Domestic Violence Protection Orders are also significantly up, ensuring we are better protecting vulnerable victims of domestic abuse.

“GMP is also recording more rape reports, around 9%, further evidence that the public trusts the force to investigate this horrific offence in the knowledge that positive action will be taken.”

GMP has also successfully applied for funding under Project Soteria to implement the best practice and ways of working with victims of rape and serious sexual assault offences, and more than 4,000 officers will shortly be receiving the nationally acclaimed ‘DA Matters’ training.

The College of Policing and the domestic abuse charity, SafeLives, have been working with key stakeholders to develop DA Matters, a bespoke cultural change programme for police officers and staff in England and Wales.

A total of 1,151 DVPNs have been issued in the last 12 months - 96% more than the previous 12 months.

DCS Kerr said: “We are committed to improving the way we work and the way we support victims of crime.

“In October 2021, a Dedicated Child Protection and Investigation Team was created in every district to investigate and protect children from abuse, whether sexual or violent and each victim now gets a response from a specially trained officer.

“The teams also work with local partners to tackle child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation and county lines exploitation, and to share best practice.

“We are proud of the improvements we have made throughout the last 12 months, but appreciate that there is much more still to do. So GMP’s determination to preventing Domestic Abuse, to supporting those who are victims of DA and to bringing to justice those who abuse partners, ex-partners or family members remains stronger than ever.’’