MANCHESTER, NH – Manchester Police Department on Thursday released the preliminary Crime Statistics for 2020. For the 5th consecutive year, crime in Manchester has decreased, which can be attributed to strong community collaborations and on-going efforts by the Police Department.
In 2020, overall Part I crimes declined by 4 percent compared to 2019. More specifically, Violent Crime was down 5 percent and Property Crimes were down 4 percent.
“The patrol officers, detectives and the non-sworn members of the Manchester Police Department work tirelessly every day to reduce crime and ensure that criminal offenders are held accountable for their actions. For that, they should be commended,” states Chief Allen D. Aldenberg.
Notably, Manchester saw significant declines in robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and larceny. Such declines continue a five-year downward trend for robbery, burglary and larceny. Aggravated assaults were lower compared to 2019, but still higher than the five-year average.
Declines in these crime categories are the result of intentional efforts by the Police Department. With community support, more police officers have been put on the street to enhance safety and quality of life. We are now seeing a return on this investment. While there is more work to be done, these additional officers will continue to help achieve community policing goals and a safer Manchester.
Mayor Joyce Craig released the following statement on the crime data:
“For the fifth year in a row, crime is down in the City of Manchester. I want to thank the men and women of the Manchester Police Department for their dedication, hard work and continued service to our community. While this is good news, we know there’s more work to do, and I’m grateful for MPD’s ongoing commitment to community relationships, transparency, innovation and progressive training.”
Forcible Rape, Aggravated Assaults and Auto Theft
As indicated in the table above, the Forcible Rape crime category increased by 14 percent from 2019 to 2020 – an increase of 10 reported incidents.
Forcible Rape is a complex crime category, which, through victimology, we know is a significantly under-reported crime. Due to this fact, it is difficult to use these reported incidents as an indicator for what is occurring in the community. Furthermore, the rates of forcible rape continue to be varied year-to-year. What we do know is that the vast majority of these offenses involve an offender who is known to the victim. Stranger-related sexual assaults continue to be rare.
As an agency, we are hopeful that our strong collaboration with entities such as the YWCA, the Child Advocacy Center and others make a positive impact. The goal is that it culminates in increased reporting, more assistance to victims, and heightened awareness of these issues. Manchester Police dedicates significant resources to the investigation of sexual assaults and these offenses will continue to be a priority.
Aggravated assaults include gun crime incidents, which continue to be an area of focus for the Police Department. Nationally, many communities saw gun crimes and homicides increase in 2020; however, steps taken by the Manchester Police Department in collaboration with Law Enforcement and Community Partners appear to be impactful. Such efforts include increased patrols in neighborhoods, greater community engagement, and focusing on prolific offenders who disproportionately commit crime in the city. These efforts will continue in 2021 and are a priority of Chief Aldenberg.
Motor Vehicle Theft
One area of concern that is being tracked closely is the sharp increase in motor vehicle thefts. This trend is not unique to Manchester and specially trained investigators are collaborating with law enforcement partners to investigate and mitigate these crimes.
The 2020 crime statistics have likely been impacted (like the rest of society) by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is apparent that some crimes, such as burglary and thefts, have been affected by more residents working from and staying close to home during these times of social distancing.
Other impacts have likely not yet been seen; however, these unprecedented times are a consideration when examining crime.
Manchester Police encourage community members to utilize www.crimemapping.com, a web-based service that can show crime in your neighborhood or place of work. This interactive tool helps empower citizens with up-to-date information, including the ability to receive alerts on your phone. An informed community and engaged citizenry is vital to achieving our community goals.
