Officers make arrest during patrols monitoring reports of jewellery robberies

Officers in the city centre investigating reports of jewellery robberies made an arrest last night (Tuesday 26 September) as part of ongoing work to crack down on the issue within the area.

In recent weeks, officers have received reports of people being targeted for their expensive jewellery, with it being grabbed off them or otherwise being forcibly taken, in the areas between the city centre and Rusholme.

Officers immediately began dedicating shifts to clamping down on the issue, undertaking a range of proactive patrols - both in high visibility cars and as part of plain-clothes operations.

The CoM Central Neighbourhood crime team identified a male who they believed to be acting suspiciously around people in the Wilmslow Road area of the city during Tuesday evening and approached him.

A 17-year-old male was subsequently arrested on suspicion of robbery. He remains in custody for questioning.

The Neighbourhood Crime Team has deviated their shift pattern in recent days to ensure that the areas have been receiving an increased police presence.

Sergeant Alex Vernon, from Greater Manchester Police's City of Manchester district, said: "Once we received reports of jewellery robberies, we immediately began extensive work in order to both prevent the crime and find those responsible.

"Our officers have trawled CCTV and looked into all of the intelligence available to us. We have deviated our shift patterns to ensure our officers are targeting the hotspot areas, with high-visibility patrols.

"In addition to that, we have been utilising officers in plain clothes, who can monitor and covertly patrol an area.

"I would urge anyone with information to please get in touch with us - either by calling 101 or calling Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111."

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