New operation in Salford cracking down on organised crime with 25 arrests in first month

A crime-busting operation targeting everything from organised crime to anti-social behaviour has begun in Little Hulton, with officers teaming up with local partners to deliver maximum results for the community.

The operation sees local neighbourhood officers working in conjunction with officials from Local Housing and Salford City Council, in a bid to clamp down on criminality.

Specialist officers from our Challenger team have been supporting the project, as part of our partnership response to serious and organised crime. Programme Challenger sees us use four key objectives: prevent, protect, prepare, and pursue.

This targeted work against organised crime sees us prevent local issues, such as drug use, violence, and other associated problems before they have a chance to manifest.

The activity in January has already seen 25 arrests on suspicion of offences from possession of a firearm to drugs and bail offences, 52 stop-searches, multiple warrants in the area, and numerous pieces of intelligence gathered. Nearly 100 weapons have also been seized through knife amnesties in the area.

This relentless disruption will carry on for the coming weeks and months, with plans for more projects, warrants, arrests, and charges.

Local council and housing partners will be assisting through multiple avenues: seizing nuisance off-road bikes, assisting in getting anti-social properties shut down, handing out fines, and talking to residents to listen to their concerns.

Neighbourhood officers have created and executed numerous proactive patrol plans, to maximise their coverage of the area and to ensure hotspots are constantly targeted and criminals are not allowed to rest.

This key neighbourhood work is also investing in the community on a close engagement level; school and college visits, pop-up stalls, awareness posters, sports project funding, and more.

Other work will includes building community resilience, through intelligence gathering, a Crimestoppers campaign, and social media posts to raise awareness of various issues.

Notable work in recent months saw three men received custodial sentences totalling over 29 years for their involvement in a shooting in Little Hulton in May 2024.

The trio were sentenced last month following the incident, which left a man with serious injuries. You can read more about the sentencing here: Three men sentenced to over 29 years’ imprisonment for their part in a shooting in Little Hulton last year | Greater Manchester Police

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Humphreys, from GMP’s Salford district, said: “Our operation began at the start of the year and has already seen multiple arrests, countless patrols, door-smashing warrants and other positive outcomes as we continue to disrupt criminality in the area.

“We know from speaking to residents that they have been affected by issues such as anti-social behaviour, drug use, and nuisance off-road bikes, carried out by a small percentage of people who simply don’t care how much they are ruining other people’s lives.

“This operation is designed with them at the heart of it. We want to make people’s lives better by pursuing those involved in crime and safeguarding the future of those in the area. We would like to thank those in the area who have already come to us with their concerns: all your input has assisted in our work so far. We would urge you to get in touch with us if you have any issues, so we can continue to take positive action.”

Councillor Barbara Bentham, Salford City Council’s Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, said: “I’m pleased to see the great work taking place in Little Hulton to tackle anti-social behaviour and stop criminals in their tracks.

“We’ve listened to those living in the area and partners are working together to target those who cause misery and blight the area and bring them to justice.”

Martyn Hague, Executive Director of Customer at ForHousing, said: “Safe communities are strong communities. That’s why we’re focused on staying ahead of crime and creating neighbourhoods where people feel secure and proud to live.

“Our work with Greater Manchester Police and Salford City Council is already making a real difference - whether it’s through community programmes or targeted action – and we’ll keep supporting GMP and working together to make sure everyone feels safe in their homes.”

You can report information to the police by calling 101, or visiting out Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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