In a week’s work: Operation Venture arrest man wanted in London for stabbing and recover Class A drugs and offensive weapons

Patrols by Operation Venture have assisted in the capture of a man wanted for a serious stabbing in London.

On 10 August 2023, a man was stabbed multiple times outside a mosque on Anson Road in London. Intelligence reports led police to believe the suspect had made his way to Manchester and on 24 August, Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) serious violence and knife crime team tracked the movements of the suspect and deployed officers to make an arrest.

They arrived at an address on Worthing Street in Manchester and came across two known associates of the suspect. Quick work by the officers then secured the arrest of the suspect – a 21-year-old man – as he made his way back to the address. He was arrested on suspicion of committing grievous bodily harm with intent and was taken into custody.

On 29 August 2023, officers also stopped a vehicle on Moorside Street in Droylsden and recovered approximately £250 worth of cocaine. A 30-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs.

Following this, officers conducted a house search where they seized ammunition and a pair of nun chucks from the address. The man was then further arrested on suspicion of possession of a Section 1 Firearm and possession of offensive weapon in private place (nun chucks)

On the same day in Altrincham, a 51-year-old man was arrested whilst attempting to hide in a doorway. When questioned and searched, it was found that he was wanted on recall to prison and was escorted back to jail.

Later that day patrols were also deployed to the city of Manchester, where officers stopped a vehicle that was being driven erratically on Sherwin Street. The vehicle which was not insured and was seized by police with driver being reported for driving offences.

On 30 August 2023 officers then attended the scene of a disturbance at a pub in Wythenshawe and following an area search, a male was detained and a search conducted whereby a large combat knife was recovered. The male arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article.

Sergeant Paul Heap of Operation Venture said: “Operation Venture was set up to take weapons off our streets and arrest anyone who poses a threat to the public. The activity carried out over the past week shows the kind of work our officers carry out day in and day out to keep people safe and there is a lot of work taking place behind the scenes using intelligence and analytical data.

“The team uses intelligence to build the picture around violent crime hot spots in Greater Manchester. This then determines where officers are sent to detect and deter offences as well as provide a visible reassuring presence in communities.

“Our greatest asset is information provided by members of the public. If you have information about a crime taking place or concerns about violence in your area, I would urge you to report it to GMP as soon as possible.”

You can do so by calling 101 or via the website: www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Always dial 999 in an emergency.