Neighbourhood crime
Neighbourhood crime is especially distressing during the festive period because when a crime occurs, it not only results in material loss but also deeply affects emotional wellbeing, leaving victims feeling violated and vulnerable during what should be a joyful time.
As part of Operation North Star, we will be taking proactive steps to tackle burglary, personal robbery, and vehicle crime this festive period by increasing visibility in communities, executing warrants, and targeting offenders who threaten your safety, property, and peace of mind.
We also need your help - if you see anything suspicious, report it. Your information helps us act swiftly and effectively. If you know of someone who is committing these offences or where stolen property is being stored.
Report incidents to GMP via 101 or by using LiveChat on our website. Always dial 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or https://crimestoppers-uk.org/
You can help us prevent burglary and vehicle theft by making small changes to your home security and routine: https://www.gmp.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/
As part of Operation North Star, officers deployed Stockport's mobile police station in the heart of the town centre.
Over the course of the weekend (Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 December), the town centre team engaged with members of the community and received lots of positive feedback regarding the deployment of the mobile station.
Neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, and student officers were on hand throughout to provide crime prevention advice, deal with any reports or concerns, and sign members of the public up to Bee in the Loop.
Officers from the Bolton neighbourhood team were out with Trading Standards yesterday cracking down on illicit products such as tobacco being sold in premises in the town centre.
The day of action came as part of GMP partnering with the Home Office’s ‘Winter of Action’ and our own Operation North Star, which focuses on tackling neighbourhood crime and protecting town centres during the winter months.
The day proved to be successful, with the first location being Chamberlain Street, where there was suspicion of illicit tobacco being kept in a car parked there.
A sniffer dog was brought in and alerted officers to the boot of the car, and it was confirmed that illicit tobacco was there.
The car was subsequently towed away.
The next visit was to a shop on Knowsley Street in the town centre, where checks were made on cigarettes and tobacco being sold, as well as the storeroom being searched.
Trading Standards seized nearly 30 cans of air freshener, as they hadn’t been tested in the UK and weren’t deemed safe for use.
PC Matthew Waite from the Bolton Neighbourhood Policing team said, “These actions significantly disrupt the selling of illegal products in communities and sends a strong message that such activity won’t be tolerated.
“We remain committed to ensuring that those who profit from the unlawful sale of tobacco and related products are held accountable."
"I would encourage the public to pass on any information relating to sales to Crimestoppers which can be done anonymously by called 0800 555 111."
A spokesperson for Bolton Council said, “Once again, we see a successful operation and an example of strong partnership working between trading standards and GMP.
“Operations like this require a lot of background work and information gathering, and the council is pleased it has resulted in a large seizure of illicit tobacco, vapes, and other non-compliant products.
“The council hopes this sends a clear message to anyone engaging in this criminal activity that we have a zero-tolerance approach and are committed to getting illegal and dangerous goods off the shelves in Bolton.”
Stockport’s Neighbourhood Policing Team are turning their attention to our ongoing Winter of Action campaign, and an ongoing town centre operation is oven-ready to take on the festive period.
Yesterday, the Operation Rimini team secured five arrests for retail crime, theft, and court offences, while additionally conducting eight stop-searches and conducting patrols in conjunction with British Transport Police.
Since launching in 2023, the operation has provided dedicated days of action in the town centre every single month, resulting in comprehensive policing coverage, which has seen multiple results:
- 85+ arrests, with more than 200 charges
- 170 stop-searches
- More than £120,000 worth of illicit vapes seized
- Traffic operation with illegal and dangerous vehicles seized
- Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) issued to repeat offenders
Rimini’s work will continue throughout GMP’s ‘Winter of Action’ – a festive campaign that is seeing teams across the force using multiple resources at their disposal to tackle and assist in key issues: anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and theft, and the night-time economy.
In Stockport, this will see a mix of the days of action that have become a staple of the town’s neighbourhood output, along with an increased day-to-day high-visibility presence in high-footfall areas across the district.
This includes building on intelligence and partnership work that the local team have invested time into, to enable a seamless
The Winter campaign follows our Safe4Summer work – which saw shoplifting and theft reduced by 20%, 2,000 arrests made, and more than 22,000 patrol hours across the force.
Stockport’s first ‘official’ week for the Winter of Action has already had good results of its own – with nine arrests, 16 stop-searches and around 250 hours of high-visibility police work between 1 and 7 December.
This also saw an overall 20% reduction in crime from the same period last year.
Inspector Jason Holmwood, from GMP’s Stockport Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “Operation Rimini and the local neighbourhood policing team have delivered countless successful results for the people of Stockport since its inception some two-and-a-half years ago.
“Through the hard work of officers and continued co-operation of local partners, we are helping to build intelligence and remove criminality from places where both the public and businesses have told us about.
“Throughout the festive period and as part of the Winter of Action, you can expect to see plenty more officers on the streets, tackling anti-social behaviour, arresting shoplifters, and monitoring the night-time economy to ensure people enjoy themselves safely and responsibly.”
Heywood Neighbourhood officers seized an estimated million-pounds worth of cannabis during a warrant executed earlier this morning (12 December).
The raid, which came in the town centre this morning, resulted in approximately 2,200 plants being recovered.
The readiness and scale of the plant-grow has meant the discovery could have a street value as high as £1m.
When officers attended the address, they located a man watering the plants – who was subsequently arrested.
A 38-year-old man remains in custody following the arrest on suspicion of cultivation of cannabis.
The work came on the back of intelligence gathered within the community and as part of the force’s wider ongoing festive campaign.
This is seeing GMP supporting the Home Office’s ‘Winter of Action’ – a concentrated focus on criminality, including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Sergeant Hannah Taala, from GMP's Heywood Neighbourhood Team, said: “This was a fantastic find for our local officers and I am glad that we have been able to remove such a large amount of illicit drugs from our streets.
“While some people may not associate harm with cannabis, they can come with a range of risks – from addiction and exploitation of vulnerable people to the disputes between gangs who sell them.
“The use of it is something that we get complaints about, including people who intimidate and harass people while brazenly using the drug in public.
“As part of the Winter of Action, Heywood’s Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to reducing these sorts of ASB offences, tackling the issue at the root and punishing those who cause issues in the community.
“I would urge you to get in touch with us over this festive period if you have any problems – we won’t be stopping and will be there to assist you.”
Following two incidents of violent disorder in Oldham town centre, officers have secured two more arrests.
It brings the total number of people arrested up to seven. The following people were arrested on suspicion of violent disorder and assault:
- A 16-year-old boy
- A 17-year-old boy
- A 18-year-old man
- A 19-year-old man
A 17-year-old boy and two 18-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon. All suspects have been bailed pending further enquiries.
These arrests are in relation to two incidents of violent disorder in the town centre – one on Union Street at around 4:50pm on December 4, followed by another on December 8.
Neighbourhood officers will maintain a high-visibility presence in the area to keep the public safe.
Extra officers will be on the streets as part of Operation North Star – our initiative to help protect communities during the festive period and bring criminals to justice.
This forms part of our commitment to supporting the Home Office’s ‘Winter of Action’ – a concentrated focus on criminality including shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
Oldham town centre Sergeant, Graham Craven, said: “As a result of recent disorder in the town centre, numerous people have been arrested on suspicion of possession of offensive weapons, assault and violent disorder. They’re currently on bail whilst we complete outstanding enquiries.
“We will have extra patrols out in the town centre across the winter period. Our officers are there to help you – please speak to them if you have any concerns or questions and they will be happy to assist you.
“Operation North Star represents our commitment to tackling retail crime, anti-social behaviour, and disorder in Oldham town centre. Through a visible and proactive policing presence, we aim to protect businesses, reassure the public, and create a safer environment for everyone.
“By working closely with partners and the community, we will ensure swift action against offenders and maintain the integrity of our town centre.
“We are still investigating the two incidents of disorder and are appealing for the public to help us in our enquiries.”
On Monday 15 December 2025, officers in Wigan uncovered a cannabis farm in the town, worth an estimated £70,000.
Officers seized 156 cannabis plants and five vacuum packed packages of dried cannabis.
The cost of the seized plants is estimated to be worth £62,000 and the bags are believed to be worth £8,000, taking the total amount to £70,000 of seized cannabis.
No arrests have been made at this time and enquiries are ongoing.
The operation was driven by intelligence gathered from the local community and forms part of the force’s wider festive campaign.
This campaign supports the Home Office’s ‘Winter of Action’ initiative – a targeted effort to tackle criminal activity such as drugs supply and anti-social behaviour.
Sergeant Jonathan Calder, of our Wigan Neighbourhood Team, said: “I’m pleased we’ve been able to take such a significant quantity of illegal drugs off our streets.
“We regularly receive complaints about cannabis use, including reports of people intimidating others and openly using the drug in public.
“As part of the Winter of Action, Wigan’s Neighbourhood Policing Team is committed to tackling these anti-social behaviour issues at their source and holding offenders accountable.
“I’d encourage anyone experiencing problems over the festive period to contact us – we’re here to help and won’t be slowing down.”
Officers have been delivering Christmas hampers to elderly people, vulnerable residents, and families in Derker.
As well as tackling crime, Vulcan officers play a vital role in supporting our communities.
Their work goes far beyond enforcement — they spend time listening to residents, helping those who are vulnerable, and building trust across neighbourhoods.
By being visible, approachable, and connected with local people, they help reduce crime, strengthen community confidence, and, often, simply put a smile on someone’s face.
The initiative has been led by Friends of Stoneleigh Park, a volunteer group made up of residents from Derker. They work to conserve and enhance Stoneleigh Park and its environment while also organising a range of events and activities to engage and support residents.
The Christmas hampers are prepared by Friends of Stoneleigh and funded through both money they have raised and contributions from local councillors Angela Cosgrove, and Josh Charters.
Joining our Vulcan Team were the local Neighbourhood Policing Team and Oldham Council, whose mission is rooted in improving and supporting the Derker community.
Detective Chief Inspector Christian Julien, the Operation Vulcan lead, said; “Being part of this initiative means a great deal to us.
“Our job isn’t just about tackling crime; it’s about supporting the people who live here and being there when they need us.
“Delivering these hampers is a small way we can help brighten someone’s day, especially at a time of year that can feel difficult or lonely for many.
“Working alongside Friends of Stoneleigh Park and the Derker community is something we’re incredibly proud of.
“The Vulcan team and Friends of Stoneleigh Park wish everybody a very Merry Christmas.”