Operation Avro focuses on community and neighbourhood policing in Manchester

Greater Manchester Police's latest Operation Avro focused on community and neighbourhood policing in its Manchester district.

The operation, which brings together resources from all 10 GMP districts, saw an increased police visibility across the three City of Manchester divisions on October 25.

Officers were deployed to focus on the issues being raised by communities, targeting acquisitive crime, traffic offences and the supply of drugs.

Chief Superintendent Richard Timson, GMP's City of Manchester District Commander, said: "The purpose of the day's activity was to have an increased police presence across the city to provide reassurance to the community and make sure the streets of Manchester are a safe place to live and work.

"We had officers out and about, speaking to members of the public and responding to their concerns.

"Operation Avro shows GMP is here for the communities it serves and to give the public to confidence to come to us with their concerns.

“But this is just one example of the things we are doing to fight, prevent and reduce crime.

“We want to make people who live and work in our communities feel safer and, as we are spending more time listening to them, we know the things that matter most.

"I'd like to reassure the communities of Manchester that we will listen to their concerns and act on them - anyone with any information or concerns can get in touch with local officers."

Around 180 officers and staff took part in activity across the day, starting with a briefing at FC United's Broadhurst Park ground at 6:30am.

There were 37 targeted arrests and 15 warrants carried out relating to the supply of drugs and firearms, recovering evidence and seizing cash suspected of being gained through illicit activity.

Traffic enforcement activity resulted in 348 traffic-related offences being recorded, including seizure of 11 vehicles for having no insurance and 215 speeding offences recorded.

Chief Superintendent Timson added: “Officers responded quickly to reports of a burglary at a premises in Cheetham Hill where they discovered hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of suspected counterfeit items, which have since been seized, and the investigation into the original burglary is continuing.

“Officers responded at around 5pm following reports from store security in the Arndale Centre of a group of youths, one of who was in possession of a knife, causing distress to members of the public.

"Due to our shared radio systems and our established working practices with Arndale Centre security, we deployed a number of officers and were able to swiftly arrest those believed to be involved."

Five males were arrested at the scene for violent disorder and have since been released on police bail with conditions, pending further enquiries.

What is Operation Avro?

Operation Avro is a forcewide initiative that delivers extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

The operation targets crimes and concerns that members of the public in that district have told GMP give them the most concern.