Stockport’s Operation Riminni takes on Safer Business Week with wanted man found, arrests for multiple thefts, and drugs seized

Operation Riminni – a designated Op to tackle retail-related crime and ASB in Stockport Town Centre – seamlessly slipped into the spirit of Safer Business Week, with multiple successes during one of its days of action.

Neighbourhood officers were out in force on Wednesday as officers utilised their resources to take part in the NBCC’s Safer Business Action Week, which has seen districts across the force take part in a number of activities to tackle problems associated with business crime.

They were joined by members of the Divisional Tutor Unit, Neighbourhood Crime Team, Special Constabulary, and British Transport Police.

In just one day of the week of action, Stockport officers:

• Made a total of 11 stop searches, recovering cannabis and a balaclava
• Arrested a man wanted on warrant
• Made an arrest – and subsequently secured a charge – for nine thefts
• Made an arrest on suspicion of a public order offence
• Found a missing person, who was safeguarded
• Issued drivers with defects the appropriate rectification forms
• Engaged with both the public and shopworkers to discuss all manner of queries

Following the day of action, James Maskell (24/6/83), of NFA, was jailed for 15 weeks by Tameside magistrates after pleading guilty to nine counts of shoplifting in Castle Street, Edgeley. 

Officers continue to work to ensure arrests and charges for those who have committed crime in the Stockport area.

The continued high-visibility patrols has ensured that ASB figures in the town centre have fallen ( ASB figures fall in Stockport town centre as neighbourhood operation continues to produce results | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)) and officers are working hard to ensure crime figures fall further still.

Inspector John Picton of GMP's Stockport Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Op Riminni has been a successful endeavour for our neighbourhood officers and I am delighted that further results have come during our Safer Business Week.

“Officers undertook a great deal of work during the day – from making arrests to locating a missing person and discussing safety advice with shopworkers. The momentum continues to build with these proactive policing operations and they will continue over the coming weeks and months.

“By working closely with partners, the local policing teams continue to make Stockport a safe place for people to visit and enjoy.

“I would encourage Stockport residents to sign up to Bee In The Loop - a neighbourhood alert scheme which is your direct line to your neighbourhood policing team. If anyone has any issues or problems, business-related or not, then please do get in touch with us. You can attend a PACT meeting, call 101, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

To sign up for Bee In The Loop, visit www.beeintheloop.co.uk.