Wigan has been named as the safest place to live in Greater Manchester.
The latest police statistics have shown that there are fewer crimes committed in the town than any other part of Greater Manchester.
Chief Supt Shaun Donnellan, Wigan’s commander, said: “Crime on our streets has been consistently falling with overall reductions in burglary, vehicle crime and violent crime. Since 2001/02, total reported crime across the borough has reduced by 45 per cent from 34,761 reported crimes to 19,122 in 2010/11.”
Local town centres in the Greater Manchester area have seen a reduction in crime by 42% in the past three years.
Wigan Council’s cabinet champion for safer communities, Coun Kevin Anderson, said: “In Wigan town centre we have a thriving night time economy.
“Inevitably, any town centre which attracts up to 20,000 revellers on a typical weekend night will encounter some alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder. But serious incidents of this nature are rare, in no small part due to the way agencies work together.”
The fall in crime in Wigan has been attributed to safety schemes such as Operation Dominator. The Operation Dominator scheme included an increase in high visibility patrols during bank holidays when alcohol fuelled disorder is anticipated.
Wigan has an award-winning CCTV operation which has led to crime prevention and detention. The town has also adopted taken measures with local bars and clubs including the introduction of polycarbonate glasses and the successful PubWatch scheme.