Op Venture recover two knives following proactive work

On Friday 5 January 2024 at around midday, officers from GMP’s Operation Venture team were deployed to the City of Manchester district and whilst on patrol in Rusholme came across a grey SEAT car acting suspiciously by plain clothed officers.

After observing from a distance, they witnessed two occupants, one leaving to enter a block of flats on Wilmslow Road before returning a short time later. A further uniformed patrol was requested to intercept the vehicle to conduct checks and enquire about their intentions.

Once detained for the purpose of a lawful search both occupants were found in possession of a knife each and subsequently arrested on suspicion of a bladed article.

Both men aged 22 and 24 respectively were taken into custody for questioning and have now been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Sergeant Paul Heap from GMP’s Operation Venture team said, “This is a perfect example of proactive policing by the officers involved, utilising covert and overt tactics to undertake what the public expect, police officers patrolling the streets and keeping communities safe.

“Lawful searches are carried out when we deem there be a legitimate reason to do so, and were proved right thanks to our training, as we have recovered and taken two knives of our streets that could have been used in crime to intimidate or inflict injury.

“We will continue to intensify our approach by deploying to our hotspot areas to disrupt, deter and detain offenders and anyone with information that may help us is encouraged to make contact with any detail anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”