Operation Talon

Greater Manchester Police is committed to tackling rape and serious sexual crime by arresting and bringing offenders to justice along with supporting victims. Operation Talon is aimed at reducing the number of serious sexual offences and increase detection and conviction rates.

Talon focuses on sexual crime investigations across the region, in particular rape investigations, child abductions and people trafficking for sexual exploitation. It involves gathering and analysing intelligence, implementing robust police operations to investigate and arrest the offenders along with highlighting good practice, looking at prevention methods, supporting victims as well as raising awareness about personal safety issues.

Talon also supports the Force's sexual crime unit. This unit is part of the Force's Public Protection Section and works closely with officers across Greater Manchester and other partners such as St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, to deliver a professional response to victims of rape and sexual assault. Consisting of a team of specialist detectives, the unit investigates serious sexual crimes including rape and looks to improve and increase detection and conviction rates.

Investigating rape and serious sexual assault

Greater Manchester Police takes every report of rape seriously and each one will be the subject of a thorough investigation. The Force has officers specially trained to provide a first class response to victims of rape and to help support them through the process. This is due to Project Nightingale, which was introduced by GMP in 2004 and sets out the standard for the investigation of rape and sexual assaults to ensure officers follow correct procedures from the moment an incident is reported.