Proactive work around Village area of Manchester sees robberies fall and targeted activity

Continued good work in the Village area of Manchester city centre has seen robberies drop and stop-searches increase as officers target criminals operating in the community.

Using data to analyse times in which offences most commonly occur and deploying targeted patrols has meant fewer offences this year as compared to time periods in 2023.

In the first quarter of 2024, 23 offences of robbery were reported, compared to 38 in the first quarter of 2023. In the months that followed in 2024 – April and May –11 offences were reported, as compared to 28 offences in the same period of 2023.

This has been aided by targeted patrols and operations around the village area, deploying Neighbourhood and Response officers to areas with heavy footfall at the weekends. Further work has seen crime prevention material distributed at pubs and clubs, and stronger links made with security teams in the area.

Much of the work occurs at night – where people leaving clubs are targeted in opportunistic or targeted robberies while in a vulnerable position. This nighttime economy work is also aided by a specific Operation – Custodian – which adds a further layer of policing and protection for those out in the city centre.

The high-visibility approach has been coupled with plain-clothes operations, which has seen stop-searches, arrests, and charges for those committing robberies.

Within the wider Village area, officers regularly check anti-social hotspots – for example where drug-taking or street drinking affects nearby residents or businesses. This further includes the appropriate work with local partners to ensure people get the support and assistance they need.

Chief Inspector Stephen Wiggins, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “We will continue to use all the resources available to us to continue to reduce robberies and punish those responsible for them.

“Our work in the village in recent months has seen some great results come through – including reduced crimes and increased police action. This includes the Pride weekend which passed without major incident and saw thousands of people arrive for a huge celebration.

“We will keep up with our work in the community and would urge anyone with information about criminality in the Village to get in touch with us.”