Questions over the operation of the new Crime Support Line, established by the Greater Manchester Labour Mayor after the damning revelation that 80,000 crimes reported by the public had gone unrecorded by Police in a year, have led to the Leader of Oldham’s Liberal Democrats, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, to write to Andy Burnham seeking answers.
In his letter, Councillor Sykes refers to the ‘calumny’ of the 80,000 unrecorded crimes, and explores the support offered to victims who ring the helpline, and clarification about how the information will be used by Greater Manchester Police to improve their future performance, and, most importantly, secure justice for the victim.
Councillor Sykes said: “I welcome the establishment of this telephone service as a small step in the right direction to address the terrible wrong that has been done by the victims of this injustice. The Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police may have gone, but this does not absolve the Greater Manchester Mayor and his Deputy, who were also elected to serve as Commissioners of Police, of their share of the responsibility.“
“The unrecording scandal and the iOPs police computer debacle has caused serious reputational damage to Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Mayor and his Deputy. I hope that the Crime Support Line is a genuine first step in a series of much-needed changes in our Police Service to bring offenders to justice, restore public confidence and improve police efficiency. I am now seeking some reassurance from the Mayor that this is so, and I very much look forward to receiving his answers to my questions”.
Councillor Sykes’ letter to Mayor Andy Burnham reads:
20 January 2021
Mr Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner
Dear Mayor Burnham,
I welcome the establishment of the Crime Support Line telephone service before Christmas and the assignment of its operation to Victim Support, rather than GMP, staff. This is a small step forward towards rectifying the calumny of 80,000 reported crimes going unrecorded as per the findings of the recent damning Inspectorate of Constabulary report.
Now that the Crime Support Line has been in operation for a month or so, I would like to ask you a number of questions please about its early experience:
- Could you tell me how many people have rung the helpline and how many unrecorded crimes have been complained/reported about?
- Can you tell me how long on average it takes Victim Support staff to pick up a call?
- Can you tell me if Victim Support have appropriate training to respond to callers distressed by their experience of crime or dealing with GMP in the past?
- Is information being recorded about the demographics (age, ethnic and social background etc) of each caller to record whether particular groups or communities are especially represented amongst complainants?
- I understand that phones are being staffed 9am-7pm weekdays and 9am-5pm Saturdays. How many calls have been received out of those hours and messages left with the answer machine? Is consideration being given to expanding the hours of operation?
- For how long has Victim Support received funding to staff the help line?
- Finally, please can I ask how the information received from calls will be used in a practical way to improve the performance of the Police and ensure that the complainants receive justice?
I keenly await your response.
Best wishes and stay safe.
Howard Sykes