Operation AVRO returns to Stockport with new District Commander at the helm

The new District Commander of Stockport, Chief Superintendent Natalie Dalby, oversaw her first Operation AVRO yesterday (Thursday 12 February 2026), with 86 arrests being made for a range of offences.

As the rest of city-region slept, doors were flying through with our officers from the Tactical Aid Unit and district resources carrying out warrants in Heaton Mersey, Heaton Norris, Mottram Fold and Woodley in relation to burglary, driving offences and drugs.

A man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of burglary, and a machete was seized at an address on Thornley Lane South, two women were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, with drugs also being seized at an address on Mottram Town om Mottram Fold.

AVRO is a force-wide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

The day saw GMP and partner agencies engage in a number of activities through proactive policework, tackling the issues which matter most to the community.

The rest of the morning saw a traffic operation take place on high-risk routes throughout Stockport including High Lane in Marple and Marple Road in Offerton.

Alexandra Park Primary School were treated to a knife crime awareness input from one of our School Engagement Officers.

A test purchasing operation across the district also took place to assess retailers’ knowledge and actions around selling alcohol, knives, illicit vapes and vapes.

It is against the law to sell to anyone who is under the age of 18, but businesses should also never sell if they have concerns about how the buyer may use the item.

Eight visits were made to premises in Reddish and Lancashire Hill, with one of the businesses in question selling knives to one or two of our Police Cadets.

Into the afternoon and our Live Facial Recognition Van (LFR) was deployed in the town centre, LFR compares a live camera feed of faces against a predetermined watchlist in real-time. It is used to locate persons of interest by generating an alert when a possible match is found. 

Officers on the ground had six alerts which led to the arrest of one man. Phillip Loxam (28/01/1969) of NFA has been charged with three breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Stockport Magistrates Court.

While in the town centre, officers also arrested a wanted man on suspicion of multiple thefts from the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

Communication with the public, keeping them safe and informed about what is happening in their area is a big priority in Stockport and across the force as a whole.

PCSOs were at Decathlon and Go Outdoors throughout the day, registering bikes and providing essential crime prevention advice, along with a stall also being set up in the town centre.

Shoplifting operations also took place in Bredbury and Romiley, before the day finished off with a police surgery at Hazel Grove Library.

District Commander of Stockport, Chief Superintendent Natalie Dalby said: “Operation AVRO is about showing the people of Stockport that we are here, we are listening, and we are taking action.

“Yesterday’s activity reflects the full breadth of policing – from early‑morning warrants targeting those who cause the most harm, to proactive roads policing, neighbourhood engagement, and safeguarding work with young people.

“I’m incredibly proud of the officers, staff and volunteers who were involved throughout the day. Their commitment and professionalism ensured we could make meaningful interventions across the district, whether that was arresting suspects, disrupting criminality, or speaking directly with residents and businesses about the issues that matter the most to them.

“This was my first AVRO as District Commander, and it demonstrated just how dedicated our officers are to ensure Stockport remains a safe place for those who work and live in the area.

“We will continue to build on this momentum in the weeks and months ahead, working closely with our partners and communities to protect the vulnerable and deter offenders.”