How Operation Vulcan cracked down on crime in Derker and built community resilience in six months

Six months on from Operation Vulcan’s deployment in Derker, crime in the area is continuing to be stomped out while strong foundations are being built for the community to flourish upon for years to come. 

In March this year, our problem-solving Operation Vulcan team arrived in the Derker area.

The initiative is the third area of Greater Manchester to welcome the experienced problem-solving team who have deployed previously in Piccadilly Gardens and Cheetham Hill, and have supported other areas across the force in eradicating embedded issues in their communities.

The initial deployment in the area was in response to a growing trend of violent incidents and anti-social behaviour, which included the shooting of a man in January this year.

Utilising the Clear, Hold, Build methodology, a partnership initiative was launched following research and consultations.

Our work in the Oldham area has since has seen more than 160 arrests, four firearms recovered, and tens of thousands of pounds of illicit cash seized –  while Vulcan's colleagues in the Major Incident Team also secured a sixteen-year jail sentence for the man responsible for the earlier shooting (more here - 23-year-old man sentenced to 16 years in prison following shooting in broad daylight in Oldham | Greater Manchester Police)

Around 144 vehicles have been seized for a variety of reasons, including being stolen or ridden in a nuisance manner. 25 of the vehicles seized were e-bikes / off-road vehicles.

In addition, more than 500 people have been stop-searched, more than one hundred care plans put in place, and dozens of bladed weapons seized.

While the police work has seen countless patrols, warrants, and days of targeted action, an equally important part of the deployment has been community engagement and partnership work.

Through continued work with our partners in Oldham Council and other organisations, we have been engaging with residents, young and old, to help people thrive in the area they live.

To this end, we have conducted multiple partnership meetings, hosted community PACT events, and helped to arrange and facilitate HAF (Holiday, Activity, and Food) programmes.

The latter of these – which were run during school holidays – allowed young people to get a meal and take part in fun activities at Stoneleigh Park. You can read more about the HAF work here: Officers in Oldham engage with families during school holiday activity day in Derker | Greater Manchester Police

Through carefully reviewed plans and procedures, we have been able to help protect vulnerable children at risk of criminal exploitation, while working with partners including charities, schools, and other educational centres.

While Vulcan has delivered plenty of positives in just six months for Derker, more work and activity is planned for the coming weeks and months.

In this time, Vulcan will continue skill-sharing with the local neighbourhood team, who will have a thorough crime-smashing platform to build upon for years to come.

Superintendent Jennifer Kelly, from our Operation Vulcan team, said: “For the last six months in Derker, we have cracked down on all forms of crime that have caused issues to hard-working residents, targeting people and areas that we know have caused recurring issues.

“From taking nuisance off-road bikes off the streets to smashing drugs gangs, we have been able to show Derker that we are there for them and their safety. Our arrests and seizures figure in this time is testament to the hard-work and dedication of the Vulcan team.

“Our crucial work with the council and partners has meant we have been able to safeguard vulnerable children, while putting in place structures to ensure that the local community can thrive for years to come.”

Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: "The impact Operation Vulcan has had in Derker has been incredible. As well as tackling real problem crimes head on, the Vulcan team have made connections and formed relationships with residents.

"These relationships have grown a mutual trust that was not there before. I know of young children in the area asking when the Vulcan team would be around so they could see them again - it's remarkable.

"Vulcan is making Derker a safer and more pleasant place to live and the council are proud partners in this initiative."