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”.