GMP lead the way in firearm recoveries, seizing 232 illegal guns and sentencing criminals to nearly 500 years in jail

In the last three years, 232 firearms have been taken out of the hands of criminals, and some of Greater Manchester’s most prolific offenders have received prison sentences totalling almost 500 years.

Between 2020 and 2023, Greater Manchester Police recovered more firearms than any other force in the Northwest, accounting for 58% of all firearms recoveries in the region. For each gun that we recover, that’s a potential life saved, or firearms incident prevented.

Most significantly, whilst trends across the UK are seeing reduced recoveries of firearms, we are increasing recoveries, and in the last three years, 232 illegal firearms have been recovered or seized from criminals, preventing further critical or fatal incidents.

As a result of targeted operations and ongoing prevention work with young people across Greater Manchester, the average number of firearms discharges has halved over the last year, and there has been a year-on-year decrease since 2020. Thanks to the hard work of our specialist teams and local officers, we have not had a fatal firearms incident since March 2023, and work is always ongoing behind the scenes to stay ahead of the criminals and manage serious incidents before they ever occur.

Our proactive investigations into the importation and supply of firearms in Greater Manchester and across the region have resulted in record breaking hauls and some of the UKs most harmful offenders being put behind bars for decades. Over the last twelve months alone, we’ve dismantled several criminal networks and secured convictions and jail sentences which have put criminals behind bars for over 300 years collectively.

Gun for hire plot shut down Gang jailed after detectives uncovered ‘gun for hire’ plot | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

In March 2023, five men were jailed for 47 years for their role in the purchase of a firearm and their conspiracy to use it in a retaliatory attack.

The gun was sourced by Nathan Vanden who, dubbed a ‘professional gangster’ who orchestrated rival attacks and the supply of weapons, fled to Holland in 2019. Following extensive work with international law enforcement, he was arrested, extradited, and subsequently jailed for 26 years for his role as a contracted enforcer for high level criminals.  

Record breaking drugs and firearms bust  “Feds can’t get in them can they” seven jailed for 199 years after police crack encrypted phones and uncover drugs and firearms ring which ranks highest in UK | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

Seven men have been jailed for almost 200 years for their role in a drugs and firearms importation conspiracy that experts claim to be amongst the very highest levels ever encountered by UK law enforcement.

Throughout an extensive investigation which spanned over three years, we recovered over 1,000 rounds of ammunition, six guns including two Skorpion sub-machine guns, millions of pounds worth of class A drugs, and over half a million pounds cash which will have undoubtedly been used to fund further serious crime.

Self-proclaimed drug lords jailed, and firearms seized Men jailed for 32 years after guns, ammunition and silencer seized | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)

In 2024, following a proactive investigation into two men involved in a drugs and firearms supply conspiracy, we seized two firearms, a silencer, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Two men were jailed for 32 years for their role in the crime.

Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, head of Serious Organised Crime in GMP said: “Our relentless pursuit of those involved in serious violence and firearms enabled criminality continues, and it is positive to see a reduction in firearms discharges and an increase in recoveries of these fatal weapons.

“Many of those involved in this type of crime have received substantial prison sentences as a result of our proactive operations which are preventing harm, sparing our communities from further misery and depravity at the hands of criminals.

“Whilst most firearms incidents are targeted and do not pose a threat to the wider public, we know the fear and anxiety these incidents cause amongst our communities. Our focus therefore remains on intensifying action and we will continue to make crucial arrests, execute warrants, recover firearms, and hold those involved in the use, supply, and conversion of firearms in Greater Manchester to account.”