65 arrests, 10 warrants and 55 traffic offences reported during productive Operation AVRO in Stockport

Operation AVRO returned to the district of Stockport yesterday (Thursday 13 February 2025).

Officers in Stockport made a total of 65 arrests yesterday for a range of offences including drug supply and burglary as part of the monthly initiative that sees officers take the fight back to the criminals, providing high-visibility patrols and engaging with the community. 

A total of 10 warrants were carried out in Edgeley, Bredbury, Woodley and Heaton Norris after an early morning briefing at Stockport County’s Edgeley Park ground.

The operation also saw officers identify 55 traffic offences being committed. In total, three vehicles were seized.

Officers in our transport unit arrested a driver following a pursuit in Stockport. A 38-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified, driving without third party insurance and possession of class A drugs.

As well as the raids, officers also held events within the local communities, including a knife crime input to students at St Anne's Voluntary Academy in Heaton Chapel and the mounted unit patrolling Stockport town centre to keep shoppers safe.

GMP runs Operation AVRO from a different district within Greater Manchester each month, in a bid to tackle the communities’ top concerns.

Chief Superintendent Lewis Hughes, Commander for Stockport, said: “Throughout the day we tackled crime and criminals in our communities, executed search warrants and made arrests. To be able to do this we rely on information and intelligence submitted to us from members of the public.

“I would like to thank people who stopped to talk to our officers during the day, engaged with us and our partners and asked questions or raised concerns to our officers.

“Operation AVRO is a flagship event that highlights the work going on each and every day across Greater Manchester in our fight against criminality.

Cllr Helen Foster-Grime, Cabinet Member for Communities, Culture and Sport at Stockport Council, said: "Keeping our communities safe is a top priority, and initiatives like Operation Avro play a crucial role in tackling crime and ensuring public confidence in policing.

“We fully support the efforts of Greater Manchester Police in proactively addressing key concerns, from anti-social behaviour to serious crime, through targeted action.

“It is vital that our residents feel secure in their homes and neighbourhoods, and I encourage everyone to engage with local officers, report issues, and work together to build a safer, stronger Stockport.”

Cllr Grace Baynham, Cabinet Member for Parks, Highways and Transport Services at Stockport Council, added: "Road safety is a key concern for our communities, and I welcome the work of GMP through Operation Avro to tackle dangerous driving and improve safety on our roads.

“Enforcing speed limits, targeting uninsured vehicles, and addressing reckless driving are essential steps in protecting all road users.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe whether they are driving, cycling, or walking, and this operation highlights the importance of working together to reduce accidents and keep our streets safer for all."

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 just over a year ago 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.

You can view a breakdown of the activity captured yesterday, with videos and images taken from warrants, traffic operations and community engagement by visiting: Operation AVRO | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)