Operation AVRO returned to Trafford with successful day of action

Operation AVRO returned to Trafford on Tuesday 15 August 2023 and saw high-visibility policing disrupt criminal activity across the district.

As criminals slept, early morning warrants took place in Stretford, Timperley, Sale and Partington, uncovering large amounts of weapons and drugs. Two dangerous dogs were also seized. 

AVRO is a force-wide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

The day saw GMP engage in a number of activities through proactive policework, tackling the issues which matter most to the community.

A total of 24 arrests for a range of offences, including drug supply and possession of a firearm, occurred during the day of action.  Officers executed a warrant in Partington and recovered two viable, loaded firearms with ammunition hidden in a safe.

Five suspects, a 59-year-old man, a 32-year-old man, a 30-year-old man, a 27-year-old man and 56-year-old women were arrested on suspicion of possession of a firearm without a certificate. They were remanded in custody. 

Over £20,000 in cash was seized and 4 premises closures were issued by the Trafford enforcement team.

A total of 607 traffic offences were committed, including 500 speeding offences. Of those speeding offences, a staggering 318 of them were detected at a single location during the afternoon operation, with the highest detected speed being 62mph in a 30mph zone. 

Traffic officers seized 8 vehicles and were joined at the morning check site by Trafford Council's Environmental Services, who checked a number of vehicles and dealt with one for carrying an illegal load of used oil. Taxi licencing officers checked 19 vehicles and reported 13 drivers as a result for various breaches of conditions.

Partnership work also saw 3 people arrested for immigration offences and £40,000 in fines issued by Immigration Enforcement. Metrolink staff also issued 61 fixed penalty notices. 

PCSO's conducted a knife sweep at Sale Water Park and provided crime prevention advice and bike marking at the Trafford Centre. Anti-social behaviour patrols took place across hotspot areas of Altrincham Interchange, Trafford Metrolink and various parks. 

Officers and teams deployed across the district will continue to undertake proactive policing in the area.Chief Superintendent Colette Rose, GMP’s Commander for Trafford, said: "Our action today has seen significant results which will undoubtedly improve the lives of people living in the Trafford district.

"By undertaking warrants and conducting proactive policing, our officers have taken a number of weapons, drugs, dangerous dogs and proceeds of crime off the streets. Our traffic operation also saw impressive returns thanks for partnership working with Trafford Council, the National Crime Agency and the Trafford Community Safety Unit.

"Lots of work was undertaken to engage with people in our communities; officers and PCSOs were busy out on patrol speaking to people and listening to their concerns.

"Thank you to everyone who played their part in helping GMP to achieve such positive results."

Deputy Chief Constable of GMP, Terry Woods, added: "AVRO is about the new GMP; combining resources from all over Greater Manchester, targeting areas every month, responding to community concerns and supporting local people."

What is Operation AVRO?

Operation AVRO is a force wide initiative that delivers extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month and launched in Salford in October 2021.

Since then, it has travelled around the force with the operation targeting crimes and concerns that members of the public in that district have told GMP give them the most concern.

For more information, visit: Operation AVRO | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)