Tens of thousands of crimes are going uninvestigated in Greater Manchester every year - and the figure is rising, the M.E.N. can reveal.

Striking figures from GMP show that most reports of house burglary were not investigated by police last year, and a growing number of non-violent crimes are simply not followed-up.

Police bosses at the force - which has seen its number of frontline officers slashed in recent years - say they are having to make tough choices by prioritising the region’s most serious offences.

And new figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request show a marked rise in the number of complaints which are being ’screened out’ by police - with victims of crime being given a reference, but no investigation ever being carried out.

The shocking figures show that:

111,445 crimes (45% of all crimes reported in 2016) were ‘screened out’.

70% of all bicycle thefts go uninvestigated

76% of all street theft and pick pocketing (779 complaints) were ‘screened out - a huge rise from two years before when the figure was 60%

2,521 public order offences (a third of all public order offences) went uninvestigated

In addition, the figures reveal that 57 per cent of recorded domestic burglaries were automatically shelved last year, up from 37pc two years before.

Three quarters of vehicle offences, three quarters of ‘thefts from the person’ - such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching - and over two thirds of bike thefts were not looked into further either.

More than 62pc of criminal damage and arson offences were not investigated, along with one in three reported shoplifting incidents.

There has also been a particularly big rise in the ‘screening out’ of public order offences, such as threatening behaviour. Since January, 42pc of those have not been investigated, up from 15pc in 2014.

The number of crimes reported to GMP had risen by a quarter in that time, while policing numbers dropped by a similar proportion since government austerity measures began in 2010.

Police chiefs say they are prioritising resources on offences that represent the 'greatest threat, harm and risk' to the public, and those crimes most likely to be solved.

While the figures show all murders and virtually all rape and drug trafficking offences are still being investigated - as well as the vast majority of other sexual, violent and drug-related crimes - less serious offences have increasingly not been pursued, including 69pc of overall thefts.

How many crimes are not being investigated? 38% Recorded crimes not investigated in 2014 40% Recorded crimes not investigated in 2015 45% Recorded crimes not investigated in 2016 42% Recorded crimes not investigated since January 2017

Overall, 45pc of recorded crimes were not investigated at all last year, compared to 38pc in 2014, although the figure has improved slightly to 42pc since January.

The figures were obtained by the Liberal Democrat party under Freedom of Information laws.

Commenting on the figures, Lib Dem mayoral candidate Jane Brophy said: “It is shocking that so many victims of crime in Greater Manchester are not seeing their cases investigated properly, including soaring numbers of those who have been burgled or robbed.

“Overall Greater Manchester Police are doing a good job at tackling serious crime, but there seems to be widespread failure to record and investigate all crimes properly.

“Visible policing has all but disappeared apart from Manchester city centre and our town centres, leaving many communities feeling unsafe. If I become mayor I will work to ensure frontline policing is improved to restore people’s faith in the police.”

But Labour police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd suggested the fall in investigations was the direct result of funding cuts.

“The public expect that when they report a crime the police will take it seriously and it is up to GMP to fully explain the reasons for not investigating certain crimes,” he said.

“Particularly with the most serious of crimes, that cause the most harm, I expect that no effort will be spared to bring the perpetrators to justice.

“But we also cannot ignore that GMP has suffered deep cuts, the bulk of which imposed by a Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government - cuts which have seen GMP lose a quarter of its police officers in the face of rising crime and complex demand.”

Police bosses have spoken out to defend the way they deal with crimes and say that they must ensure they address those that are the most serious.

Responding to the figures, Assistant Chief Constable Rob Potts, said: “We have to prioritise our workload to focus on the most serious crime which represents the greatest threat, harm and risk to the public. We also make decisions on investigations based on likelihood of a positive outcome to ensure we maximise the impact of what are public resources.

“In many crimes there are no witnesses, CCTV or forensic opportunities, which means there are no leads for the officer to investigate further.

“Where evidence is present, officers will investigate and we rely on the public to help us do this by reporting suspicious activity or telling us about anybody they know who is involved in crime. The fact that we choose not to continue certain investigations does not mean that no positive action is taken. We are working closely with the public and partners to problem-solve within neighbourhoods to prevent crimes reoccurring.

“We will continue to work alongside communities, partner agencies and use information and new technology to ensure we provide the best possible service to people across Greater Manchester.”