Operation Venture: Two years in and continuing to make a sizeable impact daily around knife crime

The dedicated team who are a focused resource tackling violence, particularly that involving younger people, and with a spotlight on knife crime have within two years made a significant difference.

The team continue to organise weapon sweeps; carry out proactive patrols across hotspot areas; conduct arrests in relation to violent incidents or other relevant offences; regularly stop and search individuals; engage with the community and assist divisional response teams by responding to incidents of serious violence.

A specialised team of an Inspector, two sergeants and 10 officers use a mix of covert and high-visibility tactics to tackle offenders in the act and make a sizeable impact on reducing serious violence on the streets of Greater Manchester.

Since their formation in December 2022, over the last two years they have conducted:

• Arrests: 761 (as part of daily patrols)
• Weapon Seizures: 211
• Weapon Sweeps: 256 (from 01 Feb 23)
• Disruption Visits: 325
• Partnership Referrals: 359
• Intelligence Submissions: 1,592
• Vehicle Seizures: 189 (from 01 Apr 23)
• Cash Seized: (Approx.) £250,000 (from 01 Apr 23)
• Stop Searches: 2,304 (total), of which 809 were positive (35%)

Operation Venture supports the work of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU) – a multi-agency team that seeks to prevent violence by addressing the underlying causes of violence and working together with communities to prevent it. Its work supports victims, families, and communities affected by violence, and provides positive opportunities to those at risk of violence, and the VRU's community-led approach ensures that local investments are made based on the strengths, challenges, and needs of the community.

Utilising data and hotspot areas key incidents recently just over the last three months has seen the team do the following:

From conducting test purchase operations in North Manchester with cadets: Sceptre: "Sorry, I can't sell you that!" - Specialist officers revisit North Manchester with undercover cadets to test purchase knives | Greater Manchester Police

In November 2024, during an intensification week, 26 stop searches were conducted with 16 being positive leading to an impressive 62% conversion rate, the seizure of two knives and 32 Intelligence reports with eight youth referrals to partner agencies.

To deploying to Oldham and actively disrupting drug lines and recovering stolen vehicles: Operation Venture in Oldham: Catching stolen mopeds, uncovering hidden drugs in cannisters and busting established drug lines | Greater Manchester Police

Later in November the team deployed to Oldham and embedded in hotspot areas driving violence. During the deployment, the team planned several initiatives leading to the arrest of 18 individuals and the seizure of two knives. During this period, the team conducted 43 stop searches with 17 positives providing a 40% detection rate. This allowed for the seizure of substantial amounts of class A & B drugs and just under £1,000 cash. During this deployment, the team seized nine vehicles for driving offences, being involved in criminality and anti-social behaviour. 

To patrolling key hotspots in Wigan linked to violence and anti-social behaviour by being there when it counts: Quick thinking from Operation Venture arrest teenager with taser in Wigan | Greater Manchester Police

To moving over to Stockport and using covert tactics to catch them in the act: Operation Venture officers catch suspected drug dealer after crashing stolen car into school fence | Greater Manchester Police

During December 2024, the team used data and intelligence to deploy across several areas of Greater Manchester to focus on combatting the seasonal increase of robbery and knife enabled robbery in the build up to Christmas. The operation saw the team deploy to Manchester City Centre, Bolton Town Centre, Bury Town Centre and South Manchester. This deployment saw the team providing high-visibility deterrence in robbery hotspots resulting in 23 arrests, 40 stop searches, and the seizure of seven knives.

On one deployment officers from Operation Venture were the first to the scene in South Manchester to a suspected knifepoint robbery and commenced lifesaving CPR and tourniquets to a victim who had suffered a serious knife wound to his neck, chest, arm and legs. This was followed up by assisting divisional and specialist resources in arresting the suspect shortly after in connection with the incident on suspicion of attempted murder.

Superintendent Caroline Hemingway from our Operation Venture team and part of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit said: “Whilst we know knife crime cannot be tackled with enforcement alone, a key pillar of addressing the issues around this is education and collectively through key partner organisations and local communities to work together to achieve this.

“We know knife crime causes significant trauma and concern when mentioned or seen in the news, and that is why our dedicated team Operation Venture are working daily to provide that visible presence to proactively target those who still insist on carrying a knife.

“We’re actively out there in key areas seizing more knives than before, whilst we’ve seen a decrease in the number of hospital admission related to knife injuries from young people alongside a drop in serious and violent crime.

“One knife crime incident is too many as we all know the devastating consequences it can have but we remain committed on establishing the root cause which we know is continuing to have positive results as not every young person carries a knife.

“We all need to work together to combat knife crime and I would urge anyone with information about knife crime in their local community to report it to us at the earliest opportunity, so we can look into it, act on it and help keep you safe.”

Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities said: “The results that we continue to see from Operation Venture are testament to the relentless focus that partners within the VRU have on tackling and reducing violent crime in Greater Manchester.

“As we mark two years of this successful partnership, I am proud of the significant impact it has had on reducing violence and making our communities safer, adopting a holistic approach that focuses not only on enforcement, but also on providing initiatives that support education and prevention of violent crime.

“Collectively, we will continue to address the root causes of violence in our communities and help make them safer and more resilient, and our city-region the best place for young people to live well.”

You can report knife crime by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also make a report via: www.gmp.police.uk

To report anonymously, call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via the website: www.Fearless.org