GMP and Manchester City Council mark one year of designing out crime in Piccadilly Gardens

This week, we mark one year since the launch of Operation Vulcan Piccadilly, a partnership initiative which vowed to bring change to the city centre.

Working with Manchester City Council (MCC) and several crucial partners, businesses, and charities, Operation Vulcan launched a relentless pursuit to tackle the crimes which were impacting the city centre.

Over twelve months, the intelligence-led operation has targeted the most prolific offenders to remove drugs and weapons off the streets. To date, we’ve made 333 arrests, 1000s of snap bags of cocaine and cannabis and 100s of weapons have been seized, and there has been a focus on safeguarding, rehabilitation and restorative justice which has meant 95 care plans have been submitted to partners to ensure our most vulnerable are protected. 

Operation Vulcan officers in Piccadilly Gardens

Since the operation launched, we’ve also seen a 20% reduction in reports of theft from person, and most notably, a 56% reduction in stalking and harassment, as a result of targeted, high visibility and covert patrols – showing the criminals there is no where to hide in Piccadilly Gardens.

Further tactics such as covert officers, weapon sweeps, joint days of action, and high visibility patrols have prevented violence and reduced crime.

Notably, a successful undercover operation in Piccadilly Gardens, targeting drug crime, saw 24 alleged drug dealers arrested. Since the early morning raids in May 2024, we’ve secured almost 30 years’ worth of jail sentences, and 40 years of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs), with more to come, which prohibit people entering the city centre. If they breach these orders, they will be arrested.

MCC have been an integral part of this initiative, working closely with local residents and businesses to ensure this operation centres around them. Work has recently concluded to remove the roof from the remaining part of the Wall structure and cut back the remaining sections, opening up the area and ensuring that criminals have nowhere to hide to conduct their nefarious activities.

Further investment in the area includes additional lighting, more CCTV cameras, and more police officers, adding further reassurance and protection to those in the area.

Piccadilly Gardens

Detective Superintendent Neil Blackwood who is leading the operation said: “Operation Vulcan Piccadilly was the product of hours of interactions with locals, residents, and partners from across Manchester and represents what they want to see from their police force. Over the last twelve months, we have worked with the public to fight crime and anti-social behaviour, using support from all the specialist resources across GMP to make a real difference in the area.

“Our priority is the safety of the community and those visiting the city centre and I am proud of how we have come together with partners and local businesses to tackle the crime affecting our communities’ quality of life.

“Every arrest we make is a step towards making Manchester safer, it sends a clear message that we are committed to protecting the public, and to those intent on causing harm, they are not welcome, and they will be dealt with robustly.”

Cllr Garry Bridges, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We welcome the impact of this ongoing police operation, together with improvements to the appearance of Piccadilly Gardens, is having. It's not the end but it is a positive start. 

"Piccadilly Gardens is a much-used space which 150,000 people a day pass through and we recognise that it has had issues with crime, anti-social behaviour and negative perceptions. We are working together with GMP and other partners to address these and help the space begin to realise its potential. 

"As well as tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, this operation has been about providing the right support for vulnerable people in need of drug or alcohol addiction treatment or safeguarding and we have supported on this. 

"We are continuing to explore potential design options to further improve the Piccadilly Gardens area, together with partners, such as TfGM and to secure the necessary funding."