Greater Manchester Police is facing severe criticism after a damning watchdog report exposed systemic failures in recording hate crimes, with nearly 800 incidents going unlogged - including multiple antisemitic attacks.
The alarming revelation comes as the force, which serves approximately 2.8 million residents, was found to have the worst record for crime recording accuracy among all police services in England and Wales.
Watchdog Investigation Uncovers Widespread Failures
His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services conducted a thorough examination of GMP's practices, discovering that officers failed to record approximately 220 hate crimes reported directly to them and another 560 incidents reported through third parties.
The inspection revealed particularly concerning gaps in recording antisemitic hate crimes, with several incidents reported by the Jewish community never making it into official statistics.
Community Trust at Risk
Community leaders have expressed deep concern about the implications of these failures. The inability to properly record hate crimes means vulnerable communities may not receive the protection and support they need.
"When hate crimes go unrecorded, it sends a dangerous message that these incidents don't matter," said one community representative. "This undermines trust in policing and leaves victims feeling abandoned."
Police Response and Reform Promises
GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson acknowledged the findings, describing them as "sobering reading" while insisting the force is committed to improvement.
In response to the criticism, GMP has initiated several measures including enhanced training for officers, improved reporting systems, and closer collaboration with community groups to rebuild trust.
The Home Office has been notified of the findings and is monitoring the situation closely as GMP works to address the significant shortcomings identified in the report.
