Operation Acquire – final day of action sees officers force wide tackling neighbourhood crime

Operation Acquire is a proactive operation that specifically focusses on neighbourhood crime force wide. Each district in Greater Manchester has their own dedicated team of officers that proactively seek and arrest criminals.

Neighbourhood Crime consists of vehicle related theft, domestic burglary, theft from the person (including pickpocketing) and robbery of personal property. These crimes are some of the most impactive to individuals and their communities.

Last week (Thursday 8 December), neighbourhood officers from across Greater Manchester were out in the community arresting offenders, engaging with the public and giving out preventative advice and over the last four days of action we have arrested over one hundred individuals and given out thousands of crime prevention leaflets.

 

Detective Chief Superintendent Emily Higham, from GMP's Wigan district and also force lead for neighbourhood crime, said: "This type of crime will not be tolerated in our communities, and by ensuring criminals are arrested and officers visibly patrolling hotspot areas, it's been made absolutely clear that criminals can't act with such audacity and expect to get away with it.

“Even though we have come to the end of our Op Acquire days of action - our work does not stop here. We will continue to pursue offenders who commit neighbourhood offences and engage with the public to give out preventative advice to ensure that people know how to keep safe this season - this information is readily available on our website. 

“We are aware of the impact that neighbourhood criminals have on our communities, and it is important the public see our continued dedication to tackling these offences.

“We urge the public to take some extra time around your own crime prevention – make sure valuables and Christmas presents are out of sight when you lock your car, if you are going away over the festive period make sure you put your lights on timers and let your family and trusted neighbours know you are away. Don’t give burglars a window of opportunity - close and lock windows when you’re not in.”

“I would also urge you to promote and join a Neighbourhood watch scheme in your area. Go to www.ourwatch.org.uk to sign up – it is a really simple and easy way to keep your neighbourhood safe and if you have any intelligence, however small you think that is, please contact us or inform Crimestoppers (0800 555 1111).

“I would finally like to thank the public for their continued support during this operation and also the neighbourhood officers that have gone above and beyond in the last four days of action to ensure that people across Greater Manchester feel safe and are assured that neighbourhood crimes are taken seriously – neighbourhood crime will continue to be one of GMP’s top priorities.”

Follow our top tips: Protecting your home from crime | Crime prevention | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)