“Staggering” 69% of car thefts went unsolved by Greater Manchester Police last year

Shocking figures uncovered by the Liberal Democrats show that 69% of car thefts in Greater Manchester went unsolved in 2022.  The figures were branded “shocking” by Oldham Liberal Democrat Leader councillor Howard Sykes MBE. 

Councillor Sykes said, “People in Oldham and across Greater Manchester are told the same thing by Conservative and Labour politicians alike.  They say they are putting more police on the streets and more resources into tackling crime.  But the reality is, criminals are getting away with making our streets less safe.”

Across England and Wales, just 1 in 30 incidents of car theft resulted in a suspect being charged in 2022.  Previous research conducted by the Liberal Democrats shows that police failed to even attend three out of four car thefts in the same year. 

Councillor Sykes said, “The government has run police forces into the ground.  Greater Manchester Police was taken out of special measures in October 2022.  These figures from the same year show that nothing much has improved.”

“People expect and deserve a police force that can properly investigate crimes and bring charges against criminals, but right now, people in Oldham and across Greater Manchester can’t even be sure that the police will show up.”

NOTES

Full analysis including a breakdown by force is available here. 
Data taken from Home Office: Police recorded crime outcomes open data tables
Previous research on police attendance for car thefts is available here. This data was uncovered by an FOI to all 45 police forces in the UK.

“Hands off our National Parks” Oldham Liberal Democrats warn


Liberal Democrats in Oldham have hit out after a recent statement by Conservative Minister Michael Gove revealed that the Government may strip planning powers from the Peak District National Park Authority (PDNPA), part of which lies in Oldham Borough.

Leader of the Liberal Democrats on Oldham councillor Howard Sykes MBE said, “The Government has no business threatening the smooth running of our National Parks.  The last thing they need is Ministers poking their nose around.  Haven’t the Government got enough on their plate fixing the mess they have made of the country without sticking their oar in here too?”

The Government’s Peak District comments from Mr Gove came at the same time as he threatened to remove planning powers from several English councils who were deemed to be “falling short” of development targets.  This comes despite reports that the PDNPA have exceeded Government performance targets over the last six months.

Councillor Sykes said, “The Government will no doubt be hoping people will not notice the comments they have made about the future of the Peak District National Park.  But it raises the question, what exactly do Conservative Ministers plan to do with these powers, if, and when they remove them from the Park Authority?  They clearly want more building and development in our National Parks.”  

UPDATE – Demolition of former Very site Shaw – Linney Lane

Demolition issues earlier this year

Pleased to report a stop has now been put of the crushing machine until adequate measures are taken to stop it impacting on many local residents.

I first raised my latest concerns about this in Mid April.

Shame it has taken the Council so long to take action, but better late than never.

My most recent on this from 28 April is below.

Demolition of former Very site Shaw – Linney Lane – Howard Sykes (mycouncillor.org.uk)

Today is VE day

May 8, 2023. Victory in Europe Day – also known as VE Day – celebrates the Allied Forces accepting the Nazi’s unconditional surrender from World War 2. The final document was signed on 8 May 1945.

Let us never forgot those who gave their lives so we might enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Local Election Results – Shaw

Turnout: 31.7%

Independent  998 – Elected – Candidate with highest number of votes

SYKES Howard David – Liberal Democrats – 938 – Elected – Candidate with second highest number of votes

GLOSTER Hazel – Liberal Democrats – 911 – Elected – Candidate with third highest number of votes

Well done to all who fought these elections and a special thank you to my colleague and friend Chris Gloster who narrowly missed retaining his council seat in Shaw.

For full details: https://www.oldham.gov.uk/info/201244/local_election_results_4_may_2023

Parish elections

On the Parish council in Shaw I am (Howard Sykes) pleased to have been returned for East Ward along with my colleague Joe Beeston. The other four seats went to the ‘so called’ Independents.

In Crompton ward in the Parish elections I am very pleased to see the election of Tom Penketh (youngest councillor in the country), Keith Swift, Louie Hamblett and Diane Williamson. The other three seats went to the ‘so called’ Independents.

Thank YOU to all who supported us and our work for Shaw and Crompton – it is appreciated and we will do our very best to continue to fight and deliver for our community.