Operation AVRO sees 60 arrests and 12 warrants executed during busy day of action in Wigan

Officers arrested 60 people during another crime-smashing day of action as Operation AVRO descended on the Wigan district yesterday.

Across 24 hours of action - which included everything from proactive traffic patrols and trading standards checks, to early-morning warrants and community engagement – officers from multiple teams utilised all resources available to disrupt and tackle all manner of criminality.

The day began with a series of warrants across various areas of Wigan, targeting drugs supply and related crime which affects people across the district.

These warrants continued throughout the morning and across the entire area – taking place in Hindley, Scholes, Bickershaw, and Leigh. Twelve warrants took place in total, with finds including dozens of cannabis plants, thousands of pounds in suspected illicit cash, and around a kilogram’s worth of cocaine.

Several weapons were located on the day and as part of the warrants, including two suspected firearms, an imitation firearm, and two tasers. Other weapons including a knuckle duster and a samurai sword.

Throughout the day, proactive work continued to tackle issues that are both a force priority and problems reported to us by Wigan residents.

This includes multi-agency visits to vulnerable residents, such as those who are being exploited by criminals. These visits provided the relevant and necessary safeguards, while building intelligence to support further work going forward.

Other visits took the form of Trading Standards visits in Leigh – targeting illicit goods and substances. More than £8,000 worth of illegal cigarettes and vapes were seized, in addition to another sum of illicit cash.

These visits, which were also supported by licensing teams, ensured that stores were adhering to laws around the sale of alcohol and vapes to underage children.

Specialist teams such as our Serious and Organised Crime team conducted work in Atherton and Tyldesley, while Tactical Aid Units patrolled hotspots throughout the afternoon. Our Live Facial Recognition team also conducted work in Wigan Town Centre.

Traffic operations across the day saw 56 Traffic Offence Reports issued, with a total of 23 vehicle seized during the work.

Of the 60 arrests across the day, 26 have since been charged or cautioned, with a further 22 bailed. The remaining suspects remain in custody for questioning.

While plenty of action took place, engagement work is equally important to providing support to residents, businesses, and victims of crime.

Officers attended schools to conduct talks regarding knife crime, and provide inputs and education around the dangers that can present themselves to young people.

Teams visited businesses to discuss the risks of cyber-crime, while also providing crime-prevention material to tackle common issues that are encountered.

Through a maintained high-visibility presence, officers provided continued support and engagement wherever possible – talking to residents, commuters, visitors, and whoever approached them to provide the best possible advice.

Chief Superintendent Clare Jenkins, from GMP’s Wigan district, said: “This was another successful Operation AVRO in Wigan, which saw a day of sustained disruption against criminality – reminding them that we will never tolerate their illegal behaviour.

“With almost 300 officers from across the force dedicated to Wigan, this was our opportunity to show the communities of Wigan what focused, visible, and determined policing looks like on a large scale.

“While there was action from the beginning, including door-smashing warrants and proactive patrols targeting anti-social behaviour, incredible engagement work took place to support businesses and young people.

“By utilising multiple resources and with the support of multi-agency partners, we provided comprehensive work across Wigan, building further intelligence for future days of action and ensuring crime in its various forms is decisively tackled.

“I would like to thank all officers who took part in the work and showed their professionalism and dedication throughout the day. Likewise, our partners’ and the public’s support were crucial to the success of AVRO.”

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