Stockport Neighbourhood Crime Team fight against crime sees dramatic drop in burglary and vehicle crime
Main article content
Stockport officers continued their fight against crime with more arrests in the town centre.
A covert, plain-clothes operation in the town centre resulted in the arrests of two men on suspicion of intent to supply drugs and the recovery of a knife - both have been bailed while enquires continue.
The operation was part of the daily, ongoing work carried out by the Stockport Neighbourhood Crime Team (NCT).
The NCT’s ongoing deployment and dedication to fighting crime has seen a significant rise in offenders being brought to justice and a resulting dramatic drop in acquisitive crime in the past year with more than 900 fewer victims of crime this year compared to the previous year.
The team has also made 259 arrests over the past year.
DI Gareth Beasley, of GMP’s Stockport District said: “The Neighbourhood Crime Team was formed in August 2022 and has been heavily invested in by Chief Superintendent Webster here in Stockport.
“The NCT is made up of three teams working in tandem to tackle neighbourhood crime across the borough focused on reducing burglary, street robbery, vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour.
“The team works tirelessly to identify and target those committing such offences.
“By scrutinising crime recording data, reviewing investigative crime enquires and patrolling hotspot areas, we have managed to make hundreds of arrests with many resulting in convictions.
“We work with GMP’s Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, neighbourhood policing teams, the dog unit, neighbouring NCTs and neighbouring forces, in particular Derbyshire and Cheshire.
“This information sharing ensures that district officers have detailed profiles of those committing neighbourhood crime in the Stockport area and can proactively target areas where there are spikes in crime.
“We are committed to making sure that residents and visitors feel safe in Stockport, whether they are in their homes, at work or simply walking around the town centre.
“Our teams will continue to relentlessly track down offenders and lock them up, but also carry out proactive, discreet operations in plain clothes.
“Those who think it’s okay to commit crime are simply not welcome in Stockport and are quickly realising that, when they do commit crime, they will be swiftly identified, found and arrested.”
The work of the NCT since August 2022 has resulted in a significant reduction in crime reports and builds on the Operation Rimini days of action by the Stockport Central Neighbourhood Policing Team that tackles offences like shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
DI Beasley added: “We will continue to take the fight to those committing such crimes.
“However, it is essential the public continues to share information with us, provide CCTV and contact the police if they see any suspicious activity.
“There are a number of ways to do this including reporting to police via 101 or through the GMP website.
“Information can also be reported via anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.”
Chief Superintendent John Webster, Divisional Commander for Stockport, said: “Since our Neighbourhood Crime Team was set up, we have seen huge fall in burglary offences directly attributable to the team's relentless pursuit of criminals.
"With a 25% reduction in burglary crime on last year, and with more criminals caught and prosecuted than ever before, I am exceptionally proud of what they have achieved for our community.
"We are determined to make Stockport the safest borough in Greater Manchester with the NCT continuing to be committed to fighting, preventing, reducing crime and keeping people safe."
Crime reports in Stockport from March 2023-24
- Residential Burglary -25.4% (388 fewer victims)
- Business/Community Burglary -23.9% (117 fewer victims)
- Robbery -2.1% (6 fewer victims)
- Theft From Person -18.8% (36 fewer victims)
- Vehicle Crime -19.3% (365 fewer victims)