GMP failed to visit nearly 1,500 sex offenders on time - but inspectors say the force has 'significantly improved'

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Greater Manchester Police has made 'significant improvements' - with no areas of policing now deemed to be 'inadequate' - but there are still a number of key priorities where the force 'needs to do better', inspectors have said.

A 'backlog' in visits to registered sex offenders and assessments of the potential risks they pose, running to 1,490 individuals, was flagged by the force during an initial inspection in April, but GMP was said to have 'responded very quickly' to put a new plan in place.

His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) - which today published its report arising from its latest force-wide inspection - said by the end of its inspection period, there were 163 'overdue registered sex offender visits'.

Examples, however, were found where managers 'missed' visiting 'high-risk' offenders within the appropriate time, the report reveals. READ MORE: Police investigating after 'crack and heroin zone' signs appear in Manchester READ MORE: Amber health alert update as temperatures plummet and warning expanded across England Home visits and risk assessments, said HMICFRS, are carried out to accurately assess risks posed by registered sex offenders to reduce those risks and safeguard the public.