GMP is the only force to have been shortlisted for three national awards that recognises the Force's problem-solving initiatives

The 2023 Tilley Awards, which acknowledge and celebrate the best examples of problem solving in UK policing, have released their shortlist ahead of announcing the winner in October.

Among the 10 problem solving initiatives shortlisted overall, Greater Manchester Police have secured three of the nominations, which demonstrate how problem-solving initiatives have improved the lives of local communities.

First up is Operation Vulcan. which was launched in November 2022. Focusing on counterfeit goods being sold in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas of Manchester, Op Vulcan has proactively tacked organised crime gangs who were embedded within local communities.

Since its launch, the Op Vulcan team have been responsible for seizing approximately 1,000 tonnes of counterfeit items with a street value of £135 million.

The second nomination focuses on GMP Bolton and more specifically Operation Overspill. This was launched in May 2022 in partnership with Bolton Council, to keep people safe during the night when out in the town centre.

This operation was launched in response to an increase in reports of robberies, anti-social behaviour and other crimes., which have since significantly reduced.

The third nomination, which is also in Bolton, recognises an initiative that was launched in 2021, to reduce the number of knife crime and robbery incidents at a particular housing estate in Bolton, by successfully changing the layout of the environment.

The overall Tilley Awards winner will be unveiled at the National Problem-Solving Conference being hosted by South Yorkshire Police from Tuesday 3 October to Thursday 5 October.

Chief Superintendent Emma Taylor, Head of the Prevention Branch and the Strategic Lead for Problem Solving at GMP, said: “I’m really pleased to hear that GMP has been shortlisted for the Tilley Awards.

“This highlights the fantastic progress the force has made towards becoming a problem-solving organisation and developing national best practice.

“Three out of the 10 nominations shortlisted are from GMP, which is a huge achievement and further evidence of our journey as the most improved force in the country.”

The Tilley Awards were set up in 1999 by the Home Office to publicise the use of problem-oriented partnership (POP) approaches to crime reduction and what can be achieved by tackling crime in a different and more strategic way.