Greater Manchester Police's new Chief Constable has vowed to double the arrests his officers make after admitting the force had previously "under-reported" and "under-investigated" crimes.

       Stephen Watson took over the top post in May after an investigation found officers said that the force's "abysmal" track record at recording crime had been "unforgivable".

       Other officers said it had given criminals the upper hand because they are "literally walking the streets [and] not being arrested".

       Talking at a town hall event hosted by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Mr Watson promised to "build a new" GMP, insisting his officers would investigate all crimes in what was described as a "watershed moment" for the force.

       He gave the example of a driver leaving a petrol station without paying for fuel.

       "If someone drives off a forecourt having not paid for petrol and we can identify them, we will find them and arrest them," he said.

       Mr Watson added: "In the next 18 months, we will double the number of people subject to the criminal justice process," accepting the force has been “under-recording and under-investigating crime".

       The Chief Constable conceded that "too many criminals" had been "getting away with it".

       Andy Burnham said that the proposals put forward by Mr Watson can "take GMP into a new era of greater openness".

       The Mayor hailed Mr Watson's delivery as "the best presentation I've ever heard from anybody representing GMP".

       He said:"I think it is a watershed moment for Greater Manchester Police. We do need to look to the future. We've gone over the past, but today is a moment to look to the future."

       He added: "It is a plan to take Greater Manchester Police into a new era of greater openness, transparency, and stronger scrutiny, and accountability.

       "And I am absolutely clear that that is where we are going.

       "All of the inquiries that we've initiated over the past years have been to that end, to face up to everything, and to ensure that our police force is is doing what it should be doing to secure the safety of our residents.

       "And I'm now confident with all the difficult discussions that we've been through - and it has, it is difficult facing up to things in their entirety - but we've done that. Every stone has been looked under, we have faced up to all of the issues, and now we have a plan I believe that we can get behind.

       "But we can also be confident that we've got stronger arrangements to ensure the plan is delivered."

       The Mayor set out four things he would implement in order to make sure the Chief Constable follows through with his promises.

       They are:

       Develop regular performance report on new promises made Action points raised in number of critical reports External figure will be part of approving new plans Public accountability sessions live-streamed twice a year

       A stinging report published in December found that GMP was ignoring almost a quarter of all reported crimes.

       According to Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services (HMICFRS) Greater Manchester Police (GMP) was failing to record around 220 offences every day, equivalent to 80,000 a year.

       Inspectors expressed serious concern over way victims of crime were being treated in the GMP region, warning that the situation was "wholly unacceptable".

       The report said that when crimes were not recorded properly, victims were denied justice.

       HM Inspector, Zoe Billingham, said: "Victims of crime are too often being let down by Greater Manchester Police. The service provided to victims, particularly those who are most vulnerable, is a serious cause of concern.

       "Around one in five of all crimes reported by the public are not making it onto the books. The position is worse when it comes to recording violence against the person; more than a quarter of these crimes are not being recorded.

       "Domestic abuse often lies behind these types of crimes of violence, meaning that the victims are especially vulnerable. Failure to record crimes potentially prevents victims from receiving the justice and support they need."

       Former chief constable Ian Hopkins was forced out of his job due to the criticism, making way for Stephen Watson.