Neighbourhood crime down and more offenders brought to justice across Wigan district

Neighbourhood crime teams in the Wigan district achieved significant results in 2025, with crime levels down and more arrests taking place.

Overall recorded crime across Wigan and Leigh during the past year reduced by 1.5%, resulting in 489 fewer recorded crimes. Solved outcomes increased to 15.5%, up from 13.2% in 2024 and 11.1% in 2023.

Latest performance data has revealed that in the last financial year officers responded to 61,000 incidents across the district, including 15,000 emergencies and 11,000 priority calls, and investigated almost 8,000 crimes – more than any other district in Greater Manchester

Significant returns were seen in neighbourhood crime teams across Wigan and Leigh: arrests were up by 8%, meaning 434 more arrests took place, and 750 more positive stop searches were conducted by officers.

There was a 24% reduction in the volume of residential burglary in the last year to date, with 265 fewer offences. The district also currently has a solved outcome rate of 16.6%.

Knife crime incidents were down to 16.4% with 68 fewer incidents reported and solved up to 18.2%. Personal robbery reduced to 21%, a reduction in 60 recorded offences.

Elsewhere across the district, vehicle crime saw a 3% reduction and shoplifting down by 9.3%, with solved outcomes up from 28.7% in 2024 to 37.7% for 2025.

Inspector Sam Davies said: “Neighbourhood crime is a priority for all of our teams working across Wigan and Leigh. Our officers are undertaking positive work around key force priorities, which has helped to build trust and confidence within the local community. This is about engagement, prevention and robust enforcement”

“Because of this proactive approach to tackling neighbourhood crime, we have seen impressive results with reductions in knife crime, residential burglary, personal robbery and numbers of arrests, positive stop-searches and solved outcomes in many crime types increasing.

“These results show the continued hard work and commitment of our officers and staff in keeping Wigan safe. We are responding faster, solving more crimes, and ensuring fewer people become victims.

“As a policing team we rely on information given to us by our public. GMP can be contacted on 101 or by dialling 999 in an emergency. You can you also report anonymously to Crimestoppers, via 0800 555 111.”

Officers will also be utilising live-facial recognition technology in Wigan and Leigh next month to prevent and detect crime and protect the most vulnerable in our society. The van will be deployed in Wigan town centre on Wednesday 4 and Saturday 14 March 2026. More information on live-facial recognition can be found here - Live Facial Recognition | Greater Manchester Police