More than 150 new police officers for city region

Greater Manchester Police said investment would allow it to spend more time "tackling the crimes that people worry about most"

More than 150 new neighbourhood police officers are set to be recruited in Greater Manchester, the home secretary has said.

Yvette Cooper told BBC Radio 4's Today programme it was part of plans to boost the ranks of forces across the UK by 13,000 by 2029 and have more specialist officers on street patrol at peak times.

A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesman said the investment would help it tackle burglary, robbery, knife crime, domestic abuse and antisocial behaviour - particularly in town centres.

Ch Insp Steve Warriner of GMP said the force was now investigating "each and every offence" of retail crime that was reported.

Emily Spurrell, chairwoman of the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners, and PCC for Merseyside, said more neighbourhood officers would be "vital for building trust" and creating "safer" communities.

Ch Insp Warriner said GMP's retail crime initiative meant businesses "have now got the confidence because they know when we report it we'll take action".

He said the force's focus on "repeat offenders" meant it had been able to take off the streets two who had committed 80 crimes between them.

"Ultimately a community that feels vulnerable as a result of people committing crimes such as shoplifting and not being held accountable," he said.

Co-Op store manager Darryl Stuart-Cole said his shop was experiencing 20 incidents of shoplifting a week before GMP changed its approach

Co-op manager Darryl Stuart-Cole said his shop in Ladybarn, Fallowfield, was experiencing 20 incidents of shoplifting a week before GMP changed its approach.

"It lowers morale in the store to see these offenders leaving without paying for goods," he said.

"It's very frustrating because they knew they could get away with it, there was very little going to happen to them."

He said although it was difficult to deter prolific shoplifters, the increased police presence was helping.

"For some of the smaller crimes, the police would not attend or communicate with us.

"Now the police attend every single time we call them no matter what size of the crime.

"We can see the difference, we have a good working relationship with the police."

Matt Boyle, assistant chief constable for local policing and prevention for GMP, said new investment would allow the force to increase its neighbourhood resources and "be more preventative and more proactive" and put a bigger focus on communities.

He highlighted the work the force had done in Victoria Park in Denton, where vandalism and anti-social e-bike riding was putting people off using the park.

"Our neighbourhood team have meaningfully put solutions in place to deter people away from those acts of crime and disorder," he said.

"We've used some enforcement powers where we've had to, but look at it today it's a well enjoyed well used park for the local community."