GMP chief says it's a question of 'when not if' force comes out of special measures

Greater Manchester Police's Chief Constable has said it's a question of 'when, rather than if' the troubled force comes out of special measures. Stephen Watson said GMP had made 'tangible progress' since he took the top job last year, adding he was 'really confident' the force would be upgraded at its next assessment.

GMP was placed in special measures in December 2020 after a report revealed an estimated 80,000 crimes had not been properly recorded. The scandal cost the then chief constable Ian Hopkins his job.

Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester on Tuesday morning Mr Watson said the the number of arrests made by GMP had gone up 65% in the last 12 months, while an extra 5,849 crimes had been solved in that time.

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He added: "We are working very hard to get ourselves into a better place. Of course we have to earn the exit, as it were.

"I'm really confident it will happen. I don't know when, it's not my decision. What I can say our progress is absolutely there, it's tangible. It's powering away.

"I think HMIC ( HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services) have recognised that. I think it's a question of when, as opposed to if.

"They are holding us to a really high standard and that's really important for the benefit of the people of Greater Manchester, but getting out of special measures is so important for us and what I can tell you is that 13,500 people in GMP are working their socks off to achieve it."

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