Violent crime in Cheetham Hill down by almost 50% since the creation of Operation Vulcan

It’s been five months since Operation Vulcan was created to tackle organised crime and violence in the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas. The most recent figures from October 2022 to March 2023 show Greater Manchester Police have made great strides towards achieving this.

The latest figures show an almost 50% reduction in public order offences, which includes harassment and violent disturbance, a 60% reduction in vehicles crimes, and a 50% reduction in theft from person. This can be attributed to constant high visibility of police in the area.

Most significant is the 50% decrease of violence with injury.

Before Operation Vulcan was implemented, the community was regularly blighted by serious violence. There were reports of running battles taking place in broad daylight with offenders wielding weapons out on the streets.

Whilst violent crime is decreasing, there has been an increase in arrests for drug offences and trademark offences. This is due to relentless action by the Operation Vulcan officers who are conducting daily stop searches in the area, and weekly warrants of counterfeit shops. This has resulted in over 100 arrests for a variety of offences, and more drugs, weapons, and dangerous counterfeit items being taken off the streets of Manchester.

Detective Superintendent Neil Blackwood, who is leading Operation Vulcan, said: “Whilst tackling the counterfeit trade in the area has been a large part of our job since day one, even greater was our need to fight the serious organised crime embedded in the area.

“Our officers have been relentlessly policing the area, and these figures show that we have made a great start. Our presence is a clear deterrent, and it has given us the resources needed to conduct more stop searches where appropriate and make more arrests.

“The success of Operation Vulcan can be attributed to our multi-agency approach. We have been working closely with dedicated partners to address the underlying causes of violence, and to help ensure vulnerable people are referred to proper safeguarding services.      

“I am pleased that progress is being made but there is still a long way to go to further prevent and reduce the criminality in the area. Our police presence will not stop, and we will continue to deliver on our promises to revitalise the area and protect the communities of Cheetham Hill and Strangeways."

Councillor Luthfur Rahman, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council said: "The fall in crime is testament to the incredible impact of Operation Vulcan, and truly shows the power of partnership working. This is a proud moment, but it is only the first step in our journey towards turning Strangeways into a safer, more prosperous neighbourhood."