Shaw and Crompton Liberal Democrats have demanded an urgent meeting with Greater Manchester Police after residents reported surging crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour they say is going unchecked.

Crompton ward Councillor Louie Hamblett fired off a letter to Neighbourhood Inspector Berry asking: “Why is that crime such as ASB and people checking car or front door handles is clearly on the rise. Residents in both Shaw and Crompton Wards are fearful and rightly worried about the youths running rampant and we need some positive action from our police. Communities are being terrorised by people on quad bike/electric bikes and scrambler style bikes. Damage and vandalism are nearly a daily occurrence in places like Crompton Moor and our other green spaces, and parks like Dunwood.”

Shaw representative Howard Sykes backed the call, saying: “We all had a tax hike to pay more for the cops and yet we don’t see them about, my inbox is inundated in complaints about the rise in crimes. People often say it is a waste of time reporting issues, something I would urge people to always do. My colleagues have asked for a meeting to find out what police are going to do tackle this issue that is blighting our community.”

Chief Inspector Ian Partington countered that crime has actually fallen, with 38 fewer offences recorded between January and May this year compared to the same period in 2024 - 652 crimes dropping to 614. He said neighbourhood officers conduct daily hotspot patrols and highlighted recent successes including bike seizures, drug arrests and burglary convictions, while stressing: “we can’t do this alone” and urging residents to keep reporting incidents.

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