Return of Operation AVRO to Bolton results in 30 arrests and more than £250k of stolen goods seized

Operation AVRO returned to the district of Bolton yesterday (Thursday 3 October 2024) with weapons and drugs warrants carried out during a large-scale deployment.

Warrants were conducted in Farnworth, Horwich and Westhoughton as officers uncovered more than £250,000 worth of stolen goods across the district.  

Officers made a total of 30 arrests yesterday for a range of offences including drug supply and criminal damage as part of Operation AVRO, the monthly GMP initiative that sees officers take the fight back to the criminals, providing high-visibility patrols and engaging with the community.

A vast quantity of stolen goods were seized from a property on Chulsey Street in Bolton, resulting in thousands of pounds worth of items recovered.

The operation also saw officers identify 72 traffic offences being committed. In total, 10 vehicles were seized and two traffic-related arrests were made.

Bolton Council enforcement officers worked with our officers to carry out roadside checks on taxis and private hire vehicles and vehicles carrying waste.

A road traffic collision reconstruction took place in Bolton town centre in partnership with victim services and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, showing the public what happens during a crash and how emergency services respond to one.

Superintendent for Bolton, Ian Jones, said: "Operation AVRO is a large-scale operation where we bring police resources from the whole of Greater Manchester together to support our communities. 

“In the recent months Bolton has been in the news for the wrong reasons regarding disorder, but in typical Bolton fashion the community have pulled together and we’re now in a really good place.

“The town centre was really affected by the disorder, but the operation has helped to bring back reassurance that members of the public need.

"As well as the raids, we provided high-visibility proactive patrols around hotspot locations including Bolton town centre and Westhoughton, while the Tactical Mounted Unit went out on patrols around Victoria Square.

"I would like to thank Bolton residents that took the time to speak to our officers, provide positive feedback about our operation and engage with us. Your support is hugely appreciated." 

Cllr Sue Haworth, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services added: “Operation AVRO is a great example of the council and GMP working together and has resulted in another successful day of action.   

“Trading Standards led several raids on premises in Rumworth, Breightmet, Tonge Moor and Farnworth, seizing large quantities of illicit tobacco and illegal vapes,

“These raids were based on information shared by the public, and we thank those who keep us informed and to help us get these illegal goods off our streets.

“Operations like AVRO reinforce our zero-tolerance approach to the sale of harmful and illegal goods.”

What is Operation AVRO?

Operation AVRO is a force wide initiative that delivers extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month and launched in Salford in October 2021.

Since then, it has travelled around the force with the operation targeting crimes and concerns that members of the public in that district have told GMP give them the most concern.

For more information, visit: Operation AVRO | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)