Operation AVRO returns to Trafford to kick-off 2023 with proactive, high-visibility policing

Greater Manchester Police's latest Operation AVRO focused on continuing to take the fight back to the criminals as it shows no signs of wavering in GMP’s attempt to disrupt criminal activity in a big and bold way.

The operation, which brings together resources from all 10 GMP districts, saw an increased police visibility across the Trafford district on Tuesday 24 January 2023 after its first crackdown in November 2021.

Early morning warrants were conducted, across the district in Altrincham, Stretford, Sale and Urmston. This is also included search warrants for key people in Irlam and Partington.

After a briefing at Streford Police Station with the support of key partners including the National Crime Agency and Trafford Council, GMP’s full force of officers and specialist operation units also included the help of the Violence Reduction Unit and Project Servator checkpoints who both help tackle and prevent crime in the Greater Manchester area by overseeing weapon sweeps, disruption visits as well as stop and search – using ANPR, CCTV and covert officers and methods.

Alongside fantastic proactive community and partner engagement a total of 30 arrests were carried out with 21 search warrants executed for a number of crimes ranging from cash and drugs to weapons and theft of motor vehicles.

In addition, traffic operations saw more key results, a total of 153 offences, including 57 traffic offences, 96 speed violations and five seizures.

More examples of work carried out by officers were showcased by the knife arch being used at the Trafford Bar Metrolink Station, a traffic operation in Timperley and crime awareness advice stalls in The Trafford Centre linked to recent car thefts and the launch of a new operation.

Chief Superintendent Colette Rose of GMP’s Trafford district, said: “Operation Avro pulls resources from all over the force as we look to tackle crime that is important to the people of Trafford.

“We’ve seen another full day of high-visibility action and I can assure our community the work continues behind-the-scenes, this is just our way of showing the force of GMP in a more visible and concentrated way.

“I’d like to thank the staff from across the force for their support as well as members of the public who have actively engaged in what we are trying to achieve which is to make our community safer.”

Councillor Tom Ross, Trafford Council Leader, said: “This is an excellent example of how our multi-agency partnership work can tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. We are committed to working with GMP and other agencies and partners to ensure our communities are safe places for our residents.”

 

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 just over a year ago 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)