Bolton has the highest arrest rate in the whole of Greater Manchester with the local police force performance rated as the second best in the region.

Bolton Division’s acting chief superintendent Steph Parker and superintendent Danny O’Neill met with councillors to update them on the progress being made in the borough.

The meeting was described as very positive.

Councillors heard that 999 calls are being answered in under 10 seconds and non-emergency 101 calls in less than 90 seconds.

“That’s a big improvement for people,” said Cllr Hilary Fairclough, deputy leader of Bolton Council.

“I’ve had lots of complaints in the past from people saying they’re waiting sometimes for 40 minutes.

“If they are getting the response times down then clearly that helps in all areas.”

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The meeting also revealed that Bolton now has the highest arrest rate in Greater Manchester, which it is not because the area has more crime, but because the local police team are being proactive in dealing with crime.

Stop and search has seen a huge increase from 12,000 incidents to 22,000 incidents which has resulted in more seizures of drugs and weapons and more prosecutions.

The force also says that burglary rates are down, with the 191 arrests in the last six months covering 302 offences.

And domestic abuse arrest rates were also said to have doubled, as well as there being a dedicated service to help the victims through such a difficult time.

READ MORE: Greater Manchester domestic abuse at a record high

Cllr Fairclough says that the tone of the meeting made a welcome change.

She added: “In the past when we’ve had these meetings people have turned up to moan but this time it was very positive.

“The police are on board, and they seemed keen to make a real difference.

“Because they’ve done so much – they’re out of special measures and are second in the conurbation – there seems to be a confidence that they can do it and they can get results.”

READ MORE: Greater Manchester Police armed responses rise

Cllr Fairclough extended her own and the council’s thanks to GMP for the meeting and for “taking us seriously”.

She added: “It’s very important that people understand that we need to work together.

“Any information needs to be reported because that’s what leads to arrests.”

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