More about this area

Almost five per cent of the UK population lives in Greater Manchester, and it is the second largest city region in the UK covering nearly 500 square miles. Five million people live within one hour’s travel and an average of five million trips are made into the city region each week, making use of the regions 85 miles of motorway, four mainline intercity rail stations, an international airport, and large local rail and tram network. Around 1,250 major events happen in Greater Manchester each year, and there is also a thriving night-time economy.

Greater Manchester has ten local authorities, each with a unique identity and policing challenges. The force (GMP) provides policing for a diverse population of 2.8m residents, of which over 100,000 are students, and 23% are from a non-white background. The region has a rapidly growing economy, however 585,000 people are living in neighbourhoods that are amongst the most deprived in the country, and at least 40% of incidents attended by Greater Manchester Police require other partners to help resolve.

GMP acknowledges that in the past it has underachieved, however it has committed to a way forward. Since September 2021 there has been a new robust plan, significant recruitment in leadership roles, an established and continuously improving performance management framework, and recruitment of officers and police support staff.

Greater Manchester Police accepts that some of our plans are ambitious and will take time to deliver, however the force is already seeing clear progress in areas such as performance management, crime recording, and speed of answering 999 and 101 calls.

Almost five per cent of the UK population lives in Greater Manchester, and it is the second largest city region in the UK covering nearly 500 square miles.  Five million people live within one hour’s travel and an average of five million trips are made into the city region each week, making use of the regions 85 miles of motorway, four mainline intercity rail stations, an international airport, and large local rail and tram network. Around 1,250 major events happen in Greater Manchester each year, and there is also a thriving night time economy.

Greater Manchester has ten local authorities, each with a unique identity and policing challenges.  The force (GMP) provides policing for a diverse population of 2.8m residents, of which over 100,00 are students, and 16% are from a non-white background.  The region has a growing economy, however 585,000 people are living in neighbourhoods that are amongst the most deprived in the country, and at least 40% of incidents attended by Greater Manchester Police require other partners to help resolve.

GMP acknowledges that in the past it has underachieved, however it has committed to a way forward.  Since September 2021 there has been a new robust plan, significant recruitment in leadership roles, a new performance management framework, and recruitment of officers and police support staff.   Greater Manchester Police accepts that some of our plans are ambitious and may take time to deliver, however the force is already seeing clear progress in areas such as performance management, crime recording, and speed of answering 999 and 101 calls.

Stephen Watson QPM was appointed Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police in March 2021.  Terrance Woods was appointed Deputy Chief Constable in September 2021.