Stockport’s neighbourhood teams make arrests and address community concerns

Stockport’s neighbourhood teams have been out and about this week, making arrests and addressing community concerns.

Officers from the Neighbourhood Crime Team and Stockport CID carried out an early-morning warrant in Wythenshawe on Friday and arrested a 38-year-old on suspicion of robbery.

He remains in custody for questioning in connection with a cash-in-transit robbery in Cheadle in 2022.

Officers from the Central Neighbourhood Policing Team have been in Offerton tackling the issue of off-road bikes.

During one patrol, three people on bikes wearing balaclavas fled from police but left behind a distinctive helmet.

Inspector John Picton said: “The issue of off-road bikes has been raised in Offerton, Edgeley, Adswood, the town centre and Brinnington and along with anti-social behaviour is a priority for the team.

"Our officers have been carrying out uniformed and non-uniformed patrols of Woodbank Park, Vernon Park and Offerton Cricket Club. 

“We have had productive meetings with people in Offerton and recovered a helmet that we believe belongs to one of the offenders.

“We also have videos of people on e-bikes that we will go away and study, and hopefully identify the offenders.

“There are ongoing discussions with the council to install gates at Offerton Cricket Club to make it less accessible to motorbikes.”

Anyone who recognises the helmet or has any footage or photographs of people using motorbikes, e-bikes or off-road bikes in an anti-social manner should contact Stockport neighbourhood officers on [email protected].

The Central team also provided extra patrols in the town centre to support the opening of the new M&S Foodhall at the Peel Centre this week.

Two people were arrested for shoplifting offences and two arrested for drugs offences, and a missing person located and returned to Bolton.

Insp Picton said: “The overall operation on the Peel Centre was successful as we engaged with partners and the community, who on the whole provided very positive feedback.”

Three officers from the Central team went to St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School to talk to pupils in Years 4, 5 and 6.

PC Louise Butterley said: “We talked about anti-social behaviour and what this means, how it can affect people and what they can do to stop it.

“The groups took part in group discussions and then presented to answers to the room.

“At the end a select few tried on the body armour and they got to ask us questions about the job.”

Chief Inspector Clare Ryle, Chief Inspector Neighbourhood and Partnership in Stockport, said: "The Central Neighbourhood Team covers Stockport town centre and the surrounding area.

"They work hard with partners to ensure that crime is kept to a minimum and people feel safe.

"You will often see the officers in the Merseyway shopping precinct and around the Peel Centre.

"Please do approach them, let them know what issues affect you and we will do what we can do assist.

"My team do a sterling job helping members of the community, arresting people and dealing with anti-social and criminal behaviour – and they always strive to do more."

Anyone with information about a crime or who has concerns should contact police by using the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or calling 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.

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