Stockport supports ‘Safer Streets Summer Initiative’ to reduce crime in town centres and keep people safe

The initiative - known locally as Safe4Summer – is part of the Government’s mission to restore and strengthen local policing in communities and reduce or prevent anti-social behaviour (ASB). As part of this, there will be a greater visibility of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officers and partners as we work together across crime hot spot areas.

Councillor Dan Oliver, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Public Protection at Stockport Council, said: “We all want to feel safe while living, working and shopping in Stockport.

“The Safe4Summer campaign will help to do just that. There will be more high-visibility patrols to clamp down on retail and street crime, including shoplifting, as well as teams across the Council and partners working together to target anti-social behaviour.

"Making sure that our streets and town centre are safe and welcoming for all of us is a key priority for the Council and our One Stockport Safety Partnership."

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle, GMP’s lead for Local Policing, said: “Our neighbourhoods are negatively impacted by various crimes such as the illegal use of e-bikes, drug dealing and other ASB.

“As a force, it’s our mission to listen to our community’s concerns and take action where crime is committed. Our proactive approach to tackling neighbourhood crime has meant that since 2021, we’ve reduced burglary by a third and vehicle crime by a quarter, thanks to the dedication of our local neighbourhood teams, working closely with partners across the region.

“Over the summer months, they will be focusing on increasing engagement with our communities to listen and respond to their concerns. Residents and business owners will also see an increase in the visibility of officers and partners, as we work together to ensure a safe summer for all. This isn’t about trying to spoil people’s fun over the summer months, it is making sure everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling unsafe or being hurt.

“We welcome the Home Office initiative, which perfectly aligns to the neighbourhood policing model our force implemented locally two years ago. Safe4Summer is the perfect opportunity to highlight the strength of our partnerships in Greater Manchester, and our determination to minimise crime and disorder and to ensure Greater Manchester is a safer and more desirable place for all.”

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: "We’re determined to ensure Greater Manchester is a safer place for everyone. The Safer Streets Summer Initiative is a testament to our dedication to reducing crime and enhancing the quality of life for our residents.

“By continuing to work closely with our communities and partners, we aim to create an environment where everyone feels safe and can enjoy not only the summer but all year round and every year. We’ll be working hard to ensure our town centres are safe and welcoming for all.”

TravelSafe Partnership Manager at Transport for Greater Manchester, Kate Green, said: “While the vast majority of people using the Bee Network do so safely and responsibly, we know that crime and anti-social behaviour increases over school holidays, and that is not something we will tolerate.

“We work hard every day to keep people safe, whether that’s through our engagement programme or the many proactive operations that take place. We will have an increased presence across the Bee Network to prevent and deter incidents, helping people to travel and enjoy their summer safely and with confidence.”

In 2023, Greater Manchester Police made a commitment that every district ward has a named local police officer, and we would keep communities informed through our use of the community messaging service, Bee in the Loop, which provides the latest news on events and incidents straight to your email inbox.

In April 2025, we welcomed the opportunity to further strengthen our neighbourhood offer, with an increase in numbers of neighbourhood officers by 176, to help GMP to continue to deliver in tackling crime and working with partners and communities to keep our streets safe.

To receive free direct email alerts about how your Neighbourhood Policing Team is keeping your area safe, sign up to Bee in the Loop - www.beeintheloop.co.uk.

To report crime in your neighbourhood, contact the police via LiveChat at www.gmp.police.uk, or by calling 101 or dialling 999 in an emergency.

Picture caption: Councillor Dan Oliver (third from left) is joined by representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, Stockport Council and Stockport County at the Safe4Summer launch in Stockport town centre.