Operation AVRO taking place across Salford

Operation AVRO is underway in Salford - with several warrants already executed and a number of arrests made.

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.

In Salford, weapons and drugs warrants have been carried out and vehicles have been seized during a large-scale deployment beginning at 5.30am this morning (Tuesday 18 July 2023).

An operational briefing to officers and staff was led by Chief Superintendent Tony Creely in The Lady Hale Building at the University of Salford. Chief Constable Stephen Watson was also in attendance to offer his support. 

Officers and teams have been deployed across the district and will continue to undertake proactive policing in the area.

GMP is running a live blog providing regular updates throughout the day. For more information, visit Operation AVRO | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

Chief Inspector Darren White, based at GMP's Salford division, said: "The difference that our officers make today will have a long-term impact for the people that live in, visit and work in Salford and its surrounding areas."

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 two years 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.