Operation AVRO takes to Greater Manchester’s transport network once again

As part of Operation AVRO, GMP’s Transport Unit alongside partners from Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) carried out multiple targeted deployments across all 10 districts as work continues to make the transport network safer for all users.

Alongside the TravelSafe Partnership, our officers made 19 arrests and carried out 143 stop searches. Around 1,102 Metrolink fines were also issued for fare evasion.

Officers from all the districts were out in force showing a visible presence in their local area, patrolling the Metrolink network as well as the bus routes for that district.

The day was kicked off with a partner street briefing at Piccadilly Gardens followed by a knife sweep of the area before the operation continued at Victoria station, with officers from the Dog Unit and Tactical Aid Unit in attendance as passengers passed through one of the many knife arches posted around Greater Manchester.

Officers spring into action at Victoria

On the outskirts of the City Centre, two traffic operations took place on Regent Road and Bury New Road respectively, with officers recording 333 traffic offences over a two-day period, which included 152 speed offences and seven arrests.

In Salford, there was a dedicated operation focusing on the theft and vandalism of Greater Manchester’s Beryl Bikes.

Over the two-day operation officers interacted with members of the public and explained why they are being stopped, the issues around these bikes being stolen or vandalised, how they are being used in criminality and what GMP are doing to prevent this.

88 stolen or vandalised bikes were recovered over the two-days, which will be refurbished ready for public use in the near future.

Officers recovered 88 Beryl Bikes across the two-day operation

Officers from Tameside took an active presence on the 201 and 347 bus routes which converge on Hyde bus station, providing reassurance to the public and deterring any anti-social behaviour on the services and at the bus station itself.

The Deputy Mayor for Greater Manchester Kate Green also visited multiple locations throughout the day, pictured here at Cornbrook Metrolink station with GMP officers.

Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Fire and Criminal Justice, Kate Green with GMP officers

In Wigan there were support for rough sleepers from The Brick at the bus station, along with an engagement stall in association with Wigan Youth Zone, who provided members of the public with information around what services they can provide.

Transport Commissioner Vernon Everitt also made several visits to deployments throughout AVRO, visiting Bolton Interchange on Thursday to see the first use of Foundation 92’s new mobile hub.

The charity, which works in partnership with TravelSafe, has been tackling youth-related anti-social behaviour on public transport by talking directly to youngsters across the network.

The bus, which has been funded through the Home Office’s Safer Streets Fund following a joint bid by TfGM and British Transport Police (BTP), has been fitted out with an interactive games space, table sports, refreshments and a relaxation area. It will also have the capability for virtual reality (VR) software, which is currently in development.

There were also Transport operations around the Metrolink and bus routes at Altrincham, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale and Stockport interchanges.

Superintendent Gareth Parkin

Superintendent Gareth Parkin said: “This was an important two-day Operation AVRO for us as we once again rolled out our resources across Greater Manchester.

“We often refer to our network system as the ‘11^th district’, so having an active presence working alongside our partners from TravelSafe, the GMCA, Transport for Greater Manchester and Beryl Bikes was a priority for us.

“Officers from each district set up specialist operations to try and combat anti-social behaviour, knife crime, theft, and other pressing priorities for that district.

“As you can see from the results above, there have been a great number of arrests, stop and searches carried out and fines handed out for fare evasion on our Metrolink network.

“I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work over the two-day period, and I look forward to working with all partner agencies again in the future to continue to make Greater Manchester a safer place to work and live.”

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor for Policing, Crime, Fire and Criminal Justice said: “Our transport network across Greater Manchester is a crucial part of people’s everyday lives, whether they are travelling to and from work, visiting friends and family or coming to the city centre to enjoy themselves.

“That is exactly why we cannot let the behaviour of a minority of people impact the experiences of others or even deter them from using public transport.

“This crackdown is an excellent demonstration of the hard work carried out every day to keep people safe across Greater Manchester as they are travelling and sends out a clear message that crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on our transport network or anywhere else.”

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester said: “While the overwhelming majority of people treat fellow customers, hardworking transport staff and public transport and active travel facilities with respect, there are some who do not.

“Operations like AVRO allow us to reinforce our zero-tolerance approach towards crime and anti-social behaviour on the public transport network. It was brilliant to see all the agencies which make up the TravelSafe Partnership working together to tackle these issues and reassure the travelling public.

“Ensuring the safety of everyone who uses and works on public transport will always remain a key priority for me and the TravelSafe Partnership as we continue to deliver the integrated Bee Network.”

Greater Manchester Police can be contacted via gmp.police.uk or 101. For incidents on the bus and tram networks, you can report incidents quickly and discreetly to a live GMP call handler, from your smartphone, using the LiveChat service.

In an emergency, always dial 999. Information about crime also be shared anonymously via the independent charity – Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.