OPERATION COUGAR – ONE YEAR ON

Greater Manchester Police is thanking communities and individuals across the county for their part in bringing gun crime down and making the last year the first for at least a decade free of firearms homicides.

Similarly there has been a 92 per cent drop in gang-related firearms discharges, bringing those to the lowest level since GMP started recording such shootings in 2004.

Of the small number of gang-related discharges, none has resulted in serious injury.

One of the key contributing factors to this remarkable success is Operation Cougar that was set up in February last year. The multi-layered operation sees police spotters being deployed on the streets to quickly identify mounting tensions, increased use of CCTV and better enforcement, including the use of stop and search.

But this enforcement approach has been complemented by the building of close relationships with local schools and community groups together with working with partner agencies and local people to ensure that those wanting to escape gang culture are given strong support.

In addition, the innovative use of child protection legislation has seen youngsters on the streets and at risk being removed from the streets and taken somewhere safe.

GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy said: "Operation Cougar is an excellent example of what can be achieved when people work together. Local authorities, the media, the Home Office and – crucially – the communities we serve in the areas most affected by the blight of gun crime have all joined with us to make a stand against its devastating effects.

"I have no doubt at all that lives have been saved as a result of this ground-breaking operation. There are young people walking the streets of Manchester today who would otherwise be in an early grave. There are parents who have not had to endure the heartbreaking ordeal of grieving for their children.

"Robust policing and enforcement has played a big part in this operation – including the use of stop and search – but it has all been done with the support of the local community.

"It is right that we celebrate this success.

"But we aren't complacent. We recognise that this journey is far from over and there is much work to do to build on the success of Cougar and ensure its momentum is not lost.

"Gun crime has given certain parts of Manchester an unfair reputation which damages the aspirations of those that live there and so the cycle of disadvantage is reinforced. We are talking of a small group of people involved in gang activity most local people just want to be able to get on with their lives in peace and without this reputation.

"Our aim has always been for gun-free streets. We aren't there yet, but we're moving in the right direction to forever lift the stigma of gun crime from our communities for good."

In its first year Operation Cougar has led to 229 arrests, conducted 1,541 stop searches, recovered nine firearms and six stashes of ammunition. It has identified 31 young people as being at risk and had four of these removed for their safety.