Year in review: how Heywood's Neighbourhood Team cracked down on crime and seized thousands of illegal goods

‘You said, we did’ is Heywood’s Neighbourhood Team’s mantra for 2024 – and follows a successful 2023 which saw positive results roll in for the local team.

For the 12 months up to mid-October 2023, the team increased their arrests by more than 200% - with 76 lock-ups compared to 25 in the previous year’s period.

Furthermore, stop-searches increased by 18%, with officers stopping more than 300 people across various days of action, operations, and proactive patrols.

More than 1,200 illegal vapes with a value of around £13,500 were seized, in addition to approximately 18,000 illegal cigarettes, worth around £10,000. Much of this work has been in conjunction with Trading Standards, to cut off the flow of illegal and potentially harmful products in the community.

Numerous Criminal Behaviour Orders has seen a reduction in retail crime, while speed operation days have resulted in 149 notices of intended prosecution (fines or court appearances).

Specific events for the community included an Open Day, which welcomed more than 400 residents to take part in games, meet neighbourhood and specialist officers, and learn more about Greater Manchester Police. Officers have also linked up with young people where possible– giving road safety inputs at local primary schools, while Special Constables have met up with local Scout groups for speed gun evenings.

The Heywood neighbourhood team is committed to tackling local issues: ASB, drug-dealing, theft, burglaries – and anything that residents report.  Throughout 2024, the team is committed to continuing its efforts which has produced good results across multiple areas in recent months.

Sergeant Matthew Honey, from the Heywood Neighbourhood Team, said: “2023 has been a great year for our local team and I am pleased with the positive results throughout the last 12 months. We are very much carrying on in the vein of last year:  more locking up criminals, more days of action, more community engagement, and more good police work for the residents of Heywood.

“We post lots of our results and patch news on our social media accounts, and I would encourage residents to follow us for the latest on what’s going on across Heywood. Bee In The Loop is a valuable tool too – I will post regular updates on what is going on throughout the area.

“Of course, if you ever need to contact us, we are always happy to help. You can visit one of our PACT meetings, talk to one of our officers out on patrol, or report information online at gmp.police.uk. You can also report information by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”