COMMUNITIES are coming together to celebrate and reflect on Greater Manchester’s journey to become the safest place in Britain.

Marking the end of his term as interim mayor and police and crime commissioner, Tony Lloyd is hosting an event to look back on the achievements of the last four-and-a-half years and thank residents, voluntary and community groups for their help and support.

Tuesday’s event at Greater Manchester Police headquarters on Northampton Road in Newton Heath is also an opportunity to share ideas and lay out future police and crime priorities for the incoming elected Greater Manchester mayor.

Held from 6pm to 8pm, Mr Lloyd will also unveil his end of term report, which he says highlights the wealth of great work that has been done across the conurbation to protect the vulnerable, transform services and empower people to change their lives and communities for the better.

“As I reach the end of my term and get ready to hand over the reins to the first elected Greater Manchester mayor it is right that I take a look back over the last four-and-a-half years and the journey I have shared with local people towards our goal of building the safest communities in Britain,” he said.

“The improvements and new ways of working that I have driven would not have been possible without the support of communities, voluntary organisations and partner agencies across Greater Manchester all pulling together for that common goal.”

The report details how communities have worked with police and other partner agencies to tackle issues such as child sexual exploitation, mental ill health, modern slavery, domestic abuse and reoffending.

It shows that criminal justice and rehabilitation services have been improved, mental health crisis care and victims’ services have been overhauled, a network of voluntary organisations and charities has been established, Greater Manchester’s approach to tackling child sexual exploitation has been transformed and £200,000 has been given to local authorities to support work to tackle hate crime.

The report also reveals that Mr Lloyd has awarded more than £2.2 million to hundreds of community groups and youth organisations, empowering people to build strong neighbourhoods, boost volunteering and give young people the best start in life.

This has included interactive, theatre-based projects exploring issues of grooming, bullying and anti-social behaviour and hard-hitting initiatives using mock prison cells and real-life experiences to educate young people about the consequences of crime.

As Greater Manchester approaches the dawn of a new era – taking power from Whitehall and putting it into the hands of local people – the report and feedback aims to lay a strong foundation for the incoming mayor to build on.

Mr Lloyd said: “The combination of local voices, organisational co-operation, community, faith and voluntary sector partnerships stands us in good stead for the new Greater Manchester as we move together to build one of the best places in the world to live, learn, work and enjoy.

“As mayor and police and crime commissioner I have been in a unique position to shape the framework for how devolved powers will truly bring benefits for local people, working closely with local authority leaders and partner agencies to lay the foundations for a thriving Greater Manchester, where local people can access education, employment, transport and decent homes.

“They are the key ingredients for a safer, stronger, cohesive Greater Manchester.

“These are strong foundations for the incoming Greater Manchester mayor to build on.”