THE LATEST statistics released by the Home Officer show that crime has increased by five percent across Greater Manchester.

The figures for the 12 months up to September 2018 show 14,456 more reports than previously, with violent crime and sexual offences showing the largest increases, up 12% and 13% compared to the previous 12 months.

Reports of robbery also rose by a massive 27 percent, with burglary rising by eleven percent.

Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor Bev Hughes said: “Today’s figures once again show that, whilst the rise in recorded crime is lower in Greater Manchester than the national average, local policing continues to be stretched, with continued increases in serious and violent crime. Instead of supporting and investing in our police, ministers seem to remain blinkered to police pressures - apparently oblivious to the experiences of more and more victims, to the women and men who put themselves on the line day in, day out, and to the need to do more to keep communities safe.”