Computer issues ‘harm bid to tackle knife crime’
REAVEALED, IMPACT OF IOPS ON SPECIAL UNIT
A VIOLENCE reduction unit set up to tackle knife crime in Greater Manchester can’t say how many people have been victims due to technical issues with GMP’s computer system, according to a report seen by the M.E.N.
The unit was set up by Greater Manchester Police and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) in 2019 with money from the Home Office, in response to an increase to the region’s violence, particularly knife crime among young people.
An annual report published by the unit for 2021 to 2022 described a ‘significant’ increase in violence in schools post-lockdown, and said that reports of domestic abuse to police had already increased in 2022.
The document also pointed to the number of fatal incidents of knife crime across the region since the start of 2022.
Authors of the report admitted that due to ongoing technical issues with GMP’s iOPs system – which has been plagued with problems since its launch in 2019 – they are struggling to extract the necessary data to calculate the exact number of knife crimes being committed.
The report stated: “A problem profile was developed and provided a valuable evidence base for the Violence Reduction Unit. Due to technical difficulties with GMP’s new iOPS system, this work has not been able to be refreshed since July 2019.”
Authors of the report have reassured that work is currently being undertaken by the unit to make improvements in counting the number of recorded offences involving knives or sharp instruments in the region, as well as other violent crimes.
The report said: “To ensure that we have a robust and accurate understanding of violent crime across the city region a Dynamic Problem Profile will be updated periodically focusing on all forms of violence and more in-depth analysis on specific themes.”
The report also acknowledged problems with collecting information about the number of victims of violence who have been admitted to hospital emergency departments. As such, the unit have resulted to using Freedom of Information requests to request the relevant data.
The report did commend team members of the unit for their commitment to tackling and preventing violent crime during the coronavirus pandemic – which threw up many ‘new’ and ‘unforeseen’ challenges shortly after the VRU was created.
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Combined Authority said: “The Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) works closely with colleagues in the NHS to obtain and share data. The anonymous data we receive from the NHS provides an important insight into violent crime that other data sources cannot offer. We are grateful to our colleagues in the NHS for their shared commitment to ending violence in our communities.
“Data confidentiality and information governance are complex and we are working hard across Greater Manchester to overcome barriers to sharing data so we can put in place the best services possible for our communities.
“We are in constant dialogue with government departments about how legislation can be improved to support data sharing and we welcome the forthcoming Serious Violence Duty which will assist with progressing this..”
Greater Manchester Police and NHS England were approached for comment.