Chorlton supporters hit back at 'high burglary' tag

Yesterday I put up a post refuting claims that Chorlton is the UK's Burglary capital. This article appeared in today's Manchester Evening News in response to yesterday's media reports:

Chorlton NOT Burglary Capital

A number of residents have contacted me about alarming media reports suggesting Chorlton is the burglary hotspot of the UK. Residents often tell me that burglary is a major concern to them. This is a crime that always comes up in meetings with the local Police and I know it has been one of their local priority for a number of years. However crime statistics show overall crime is down in Chorlton including burglary.

The figures that have been reported are a massive distortion of the truth because they only reflect the number of insurance claims for burglary. Chorlton is an area where most people have household insurance and consequently they use it if they are unfortunate enough to experience a burglary. Many parts of Manchester are blighted by more burglaries but fewer residents have (or claim) on their household insurance so they are not represented so highly in the figures that have been reported.

Chorlton's Police Inspector, Paul Kinrade, sent me the following message today following the reports:

Burglary is undoubtedly a major challenge for my team, however there are far worse areas, within Greater Manchester, with significantly  higher burglary rates.  

The reality is, that overall crime, including burglary,  within your ward, has reduced, over the last 12 months, compared to the same period in 2012. Burglary is an onerous crime, which leaves an indelible impact on the victims, this is why it has and with always be one of my top priorities. 

We have made some significant arrests over the last few weeks, of individuals who have been preying on Chorlton residents. On a daily basis, I have staff out on the ground in both an overt and covert capacity, policing the area. 

Please ensure that you disseminate the reassurance message to the Chorlton community, it's a great place to live and my neighbourhood team are doing everything possible to ensure that it continues to be. 

These statistics give the wrong impression of our area. Chorlton is one of the most vibrant parts of Manchester and I know so many residents care about and get involved in the community. However I will make sure I continue to raise resident's concerns about burglary when I meet Police officers so that tackling burglary remains a top priority and we don't reappear in these statistics! If there's anything I can do to help or if you would be interested in setting up or getting involved in a Home Watch scheme please get in touch with me.

Police Autumn Newsletter

BIKE MARKING EVENT IN CHORLTON

Greater Manchester Police will be running a BIKE MARKING EVENT IN CHORLTON!
26.06.13 Between 17:30-19:00hrs.
Chorlton Library on Manchester Road.
Come along with your bikes!

Chorlton Bike Sheds being targetted by burglars

I recently attended a meeting with Chorlton's Police Inspector. Sadly there has been a significant rise in the number of cases of 'Burglary Non Dwelling'. There have been 56 of these crimes in the present period compared to 8 in the same period last year.

Inspector Kinrade said that in most cases it meant burglars had been targeting sheds to steal bikes. This is in line with a massive increase in bike thefts across Greater Manchester.

To tackle this issue the Police have been taking preventative measures such as high profile patrols and monitoring places the stolen bikes are usually sold. The Inspector confirmed that there have been a number of arrests.

The Police are advising residents to get bikes marked up with UV pens and serial numbers and also to make a note of anything which is unique and distinctive about your bike (e.g. a scratch or dent). Residents are also advised to keep there bikes in as secure location as possible, preferably inside. The Police are going to organise another Bike Marking event in the near future. I will post details when I get them.

If you have had your bike stolen please make sure you report it to the police. You can also contact the Property Store at West Didsbury Police Station to see if it has been recovered or handed in.

Former Policeman lays out plans to be Police Commissioner

Former Policeman and Lib Dem Police Chief candidate, Matt Gallagher, will today launch his manifesto detailing his plans if elected as Greater Manchester’s first Police and Crime Commissioner. Mr Gallagher describes how he plans to cut bureaucracy to increase the number of visible police officers and improve Police response times. Matt is also proposing to establish a panel of Assistant Commissioners to ensure overlooked groups are represented in Policing and to provide a direct link to Greater Manchester communities. Matt grew up in Chorlton and still lives in the area.

Other proposals outlined include:

• a groundbreaking Apprenticeship scheme.
• A Police station in every community
• Public Safety Reps on some Bus routes to tackle Anti Social Behaviour.
• A Commissioner’s Annual Award to ten young people from across Greater Manchester who have done something to improve the image of young people.
• Regular surveys with residents to ensure priorities are right
• Greater links between PCSOs and communities
• A change in the law to allow the Commissioner to recover the costs of court cases from Criminals.
• A change in the law to block mobile phione signals in Prisons

Matt Gallagher, who has 30 years experience of fighting crime in Greater Manchester, said: “As a former frontline Police Officer I know what Greater Manchester residents need and want from the Police. My manifesto outlines how I will make the police more effective, efficient and responsive.

If I am elected I will put residents and victims first and make Criminals pay.”

Under Matt’s proposals the Assistant Commissioners are appointed and funded by the groups they represent. Matt’s Apprenticeship scheme would see Police probationer training carried out before new recruits are sworn in as PCs so that they can spend more time on front line policing.

For more information about Matt’s background please see:http://mattgallagher.mycouncillor.org.uk/

Published & Promoted by R. Marbrow on behalf of M Gallagher (Liberal Democrats) both at 87a Castle St, SK3 9AR

“Twenty’s Plenty” on Greater Manchester roads says Lib Dem PCC Candidate

Cllr Victor Chamberlain (Left), John Leech MP (second left),
Lib Dem Transport Minister Norman Baker MP (second right)
and Lib Dem PCC candidate Matt Gallagher (right)

Former policeman and Lib Dem Police Chief candidate, Matt Gallagher, is calling for Greater Manchester Councils to tackle their “scandalous” road safety record by implementing a blanket 20mph speed limit on all residential roads. 

Greater Manchester has the North West’s highest rate of overall pedestrian casualties. Last year 744 people were needlessly killed or seriously injured on Greater Manchester’s Roads and over 7000 people were hurt. Matt is calling for 20mph to become the speed limit on all residential roads, excluding major routes. Lowering urban and residential speed limits to 20 mph has been found to decrease child pedestrian accidents by up to 70%. In Portsmouth the 20mph limit on all residential roads has reduced casualties by 22%. 

Matt Gallagher, who has 30 years experience of fighting crime in Greater Manchester, said: “As a former frontline Police officer I have seen the devastating and fatal impact speeding has. There are still far too many people needlessly killed or injured on Greater Manchester’s Roads. Greater Manchester Councils need to take this issue more seriously. I want to work with them to tackle this scandalous situation. An extra couple of minutes on a journey is worth it if it means saving the life of just one child.” 

“The vast majority of the people support reducing the speed limit because it not only makes our roads safer it also encourages more people to walk and cycle. This reduces traffic noise, pollution and carbon emissions. Blanket 20mph limits also benefit the Police by reducing the crash investigation workload for Traffic Police freeing them up to go after Criminals. 

“The Liberal Democrats in Government have cut bureaucracy and made it easier to implement 20mph speed limits; I want Greater Manchester to take advantage of this to help save lives and make our streets pleasant for all road users. 

"We need 20mph limits where people live, work and play.”

Matt Gallagher on Sky News discussing Gun Crime

Matt Gallagher, the Liberal Democrat Candidate to be Greater Manchester's Police and Crime Commissioner was on Sky News earlier today discussing Gun Crime: 

Video from http://news.sky.com/story/987166/ex-gangsters-manchester-gun-crime-warning

Former copper Matt Gallagher selected as Lib Dem candidate for Police Commissioner for Greater Manchester

Matt is a big supporter of improving road safety. He has joined me in successfully campaigning to stop Labour's School Crossing cuts and calling for 20mph limits.

Greater Manchester Liberal Democrats have selected retired former police Inspector and Chorlton resident Matt Gallagher to be their candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner.

Matt Gallagher said today,

“I have 30 years police experience, and a detailed knowledge of the Greater Manchester Police. That is why I am best candidate to work with police officers and cut crime across Greater Manchester.”

He added,

Matt served as a GMP officer for 30 years

“Survey after survey shows that the public would prefer to see a former copper as Police Commissioner than a failed former politician. The people of Greater Manchester now have that choice.”

Matt has a strong public service record. His grandfather was a police officer, his wife and daughter are mobile carers and his son is a Royal Marine Commando.

Mr Gallagher served for thirty years with GMP, six as a front line inspector in the force’s elite Tactical Aid Unit, where he confronted the city’s drugs gangs and organised football hooligan’s, and targeted anti-social behaviour and gun crime.

South Manchester MP John Leech added,

“I supported Matt because he was made for this job. 30 years a copper, six years in the Tactical Aid Unit. Better a copper with an understanding of the job than a failed former minister.”

He beat former Councillors Jackie Pearcey and Qassim Afzal polling over half of the first preference votes.

Matt grew up in Chorlton and knows our area inside out. He will make an excellent candidate because he knows what local people's priorities are and also how the Police work. Matt will stand up for Chorlton and other Greater Manchester residents.