Around seven in 10 burglaries go unsolved in Stockport, research from the Liberal Democrats suggests. 

The party submitted freedom of information requests to police forces across the country, finding that from October 2022 to September 2023, 71% were unsolved in Stockport.

The average in England and Wales was 76%.

Of the 1,597 cases in Stockport in this time frame, 1,131 had their investigation completed with no suspect identified, according to the research. 

It comes as the Lib Dems announced plans for a "Burglary Response Guarantee", which would aim to address the shortage of detectives and "ensure all home burglaries are attended by the police and [are] properly investigated". 

Speaking of the current process of investigating burglaries, Chief Inspector John Picton from Greater Manchester Police's Stockport district said that officers will attend whenever a burglary is reported.

"Our officers will attend, investigate all reasonable lines of enquiry, and analyse data to build up a picture of what is needed for that community", Ch Insp Picton said. 

"This could include launching specific operations, hotspot policing, and working with specialist teams from across the force. We also utilise the appropriate policing tools where available – such as orders preventing people from entering certain areas of the town."

Tom Morrison, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Cheadle, addressed the figures and the Burglary Response Guarantee scheme.

Tom Morrison, Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Cheadle (Image - Tom Morrison)

"Too many families in Cheadle now feel unsafe in their own homes because this Conservative Government has decimated frontline policing for too long", he said.

"Victims are being denied justice because Conservative ministers can't even get the basics right on solving crime. 

"That is why the Liberal Democrats would deliver a Burglary Response Guarantee, to ensure all home burglaries are attended by the police and properly investigated.

"People are sick of seeing their local communities plagued by crime and just want this appalling Conservative government to be kicked out of office."

On the other hand, Chris Philp, the Conservative policing minister, was critical of the scheme. Speaking to The Telegraph, he said: "This is another cynical statement from the Liberal Democrats who cannot say what they would do to tackle crime because they do not have a plan."

Chris Philp, Conservative policing minister (Image - UK Parliament)

He added: "The reality is that the Conservatives are taking tough action on crime, driving down burglaries by 55 per cent since 2010.

"The choice in this election is clear, stick to the clear plan with Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives, who have taken bold action to drive down crime by 54 per cent since 2010 and bring criminals to justice, or go back to square one with Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party who have no plan to crack down on crime."

Policing is a key part of all major party pledges. As well as the Lib Dems' Burglary Response Guarantee, for example, Labour has pledged 13,000 new police officers and PCSOs.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "On Rishi Sunak's watch, 90% of crimes are going unsolved and knife-wielding muggers, phone thieves and pickpockets can get away with menacing our town centres and neighbourhoods.

"Ministers have done nothing to tackle the new organised crime wave that is hitting local shops and streets. That is the Tory legacy on law and order, and our communities are paying the price.

"Enough is enough. Labour will rebuild safety on Britain's streets and take back our town centres from thugs and thieves."

Police officers in Stockport town centre (Image - Alasdair Perry)

Addressing this claim, Chris Philp said that 3,000 of these officers have already been recruited by the government. He told the BBC that the policy "isn't worth the paper it's written on".

"This is the same party that fought to keep violent murderers and sexual offenders in Britain by stopping deportation flights and tried to take Tasers off our police," he said.

"Only 3,000 of their proposed new officers would be full-time officers with the power of arrest and 3,000 of them are officers this government has already recruited."

Chief Inspector Picton added: "We are always keen to hear from the public, and if they themselves have had any issues relating to burglaries. We have a comprehensive burglary tackling toolkit online, and advice which we are able to share, and I would encourage members of the public to get in touch with their local neighbourhood policing team.

"You can do this by visiting a PACT meeting, which are advertised on our social media pages, or by simply talking to an officer out and about in the area.

"If you have any information related to burglaries, please do call us on 101 with any information you have. You can also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."

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