Manchester's too big for that though locally it can be the same. In my small street it took a note from the police asking if anyone had heard anything that morning as a car had been stolen (sad I was surprised about such a quick response, well, a response even, over a stolen car as I live right by Moss Side) then further notes about a community meeting with the police and then door to door and a mobile police van until my suspicions were roused and decided to google.
Turned out there was another very nasty carjacking in the street which made more sense of the response! Took weeks if not months before I found that out though.
My next door neighbour but one was found dead in his house a few months back and they think he had been there for a few weeks. Very sad :( First we knew was when the police can to batter the door in and found him. People tend to keep themselves to themselves a lot.