Operation AVRO returns to city centre and airport areas with a focus on the transport network to keep people safe this Christmas

Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operations ranks, which includes a variety of resources dedicated to fighting crime, took a proactive, high-visibility response on Thursday 14 December 2023 in conjunction with Transport for Greater Manchester and the TravelSafe partnership.

Starting as dawn broke at St. Peter’s Square with a show of force to begin the day of action, GMP’s specialised resources included dedicated airport officers, Transport Unit, Project Servator, Tactical Vehicle Intercept Unit, Tactical Dog Unit, Roads Policing Unit as well as Tactical Aid Unit.

Additional resources featured Operation Vulcan officers, city centre neighbourhood officers and key partners from TfGM and Manchester City Council.

But TravelSafe is not just for Christmas. Special operations are carried out on a weekly basis across the transport network, with staff dedicating more than 5,000 hours a week patrolling while being supported 24/7 by around 3,800 CCTV cameras in bus and rail stations, tram stops and interchanges.

As part of daily business and the dedicated resource to help rid crime from Piccadilly Gardens, a sweep of the area was conducted by Op Vulcan and city centre patrols for weapons and drugs. With goods being seized from a pedlar on Market Street after selling counterfeit goods.

A dedicated ANPR operation was conducted using the vital CCTV coverage network in three increasing zones from the city centre to track uninsured drivers and other offences. This saw 48 vehicles intercepted, resulting in seven arrests for a variety of offences including two for possession of offensive weapons, two for disqualified driving, two for drink or drug driving and one wanted for a domestic assault, with 27 of the vehicles seized as either being uninsured or driven by unlicensed drivers, having an estimated value of £500,000.

Whilst Project Servator deployments were in place around St. Peter’s Square, Exchange Square and Victoria station. Additionally, Transport Unit officers were deployed to Deansgate Castlefield tram stop on the Bee Network to help tackle fare evasion with specialist support from TfGM, this saw over 100 fines just in that location for non-payment.

Traffic PCSO’s were tasked to conduct enforcement and education around box junctions.

Street engagement was conducted with rough sleepers and a Close Pass operation took place on Upper Brook Street and Tennyson Street to enforce and educate drivers of their responsibilities when sharing the road with cyclists.

At the airport specialised resources included the Mounted Unit patrolled the footprint of the terminals and engaged with passengers whilst providing visual reassurance.

This engagement work saw five arrests, including one man being wanted for theft from Trafford and a woman arrested for disqualified driving. Three vehicles were seized at the dedicated checkpoints for no insurance, with over 500 being positively spoken to by officers’ and their work to keep travellers safe coming in and out of Manchester.

With dedicated roads policing patrols and traffic officers conducting commercial and taxi vehicle enforcement at the airport to ensure the correct licences were in place for additional security.

Project Servator deployments were also in place at the airport, working with British Transport Police, to prevent any hostile reconnaissance.

Back in the city centre other plain-clothed officers took a stance on tackling drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and illegal delivery drivers.

The day of action which intensifies work already being done by GMP, the operation resulted in:

• 28 arrests
• Two Fixed Penalty Notices
• 55 vehicle seizures
• Approximately 55 Traffic Offence Reports, including summons and other offences.
• 29 Stop Searches
• Eight searches under Section 23 of the Misuse of Drugs Act.
• 48 vehicles intercepted.
• 19 intel submissions
• Over 300 fines for non-payment.
• Around 12,000 people positively engaged with on the Bee Network.

On the successful day, Superintendent and Manchester Airport Commander Helen Caldbeck said; “The purpose of this Specialist Operations AVRO was to show strength in numbers, not just by Greater Manchester Police, but by working in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester to ensure we make people feel safe.

“This type of action by our specialised resources, which covers a wide variety of disciplines, happens daily with a co-ordinated and organised patrol and response.

“With Operation AVRO being our chance to be more visible to showcase this and our ongoing proactive work to keep people safe when visiting our city centre, airport and using the transport network in between these destinations.”

After her experience seeing the ANPR operation in action from GMP’s control room, Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Fire and Criminal Justice added: “Greater Manchester’s transport network is a key part of many residents’ lives and it’s great that more and more people are using our trams, buses, and active travel spaces after the launch of the Bee Network. And as we continue to encourage people onto public transport it is increasingly vital that it is safe for all so that no one is deterred.

“Crime and anti-social behaviour of any kind is never acceptable, and it has been superb to see first-hand how Greater Manchester Police with TfGM and the TravelSafe Partnership really take this kind of behaviour on our public transport seriously.

“I hope this shows residents that their safety on the public transport network is our top priority and that GMP, TfGM, and the TravelSafe Partnership will do all it takes to eradicate crime from the network.”

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)