The streets of Manchester might now be a little safer thanks to police forces across the city as they arrested almost 2,000 criminals as part of a mass operation.
Greater Manchester Police targeted the country’s most wanted offenders using 285 warrants between March 25 and April 14.
A total of £69,990 was seized and officers visited 3,163 known offenders within the region – making 1,927 arrests.
They were for a variety of offences including robbery, drug-related crime, burglary, driving offences, domestic abuse and rape.
The operation was carried out within the force by various policing teams and partner agencies such as social services, Trading Standards and Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).
Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett, for Greater Manchester Police, said: “This operation has been one of our most successful force-wide operations to date with so many criminals being arrested and swept up off our streets.
“We have been working hard to clean our streets of the offenders causing the most harm to our communities; this is reflected in the overall results. As this operation has drawn to a close it is still business as usual for Greater Manchester Police.”
Residents were also helping police with the campaign as six arrests were made after posters and television adverts were shown highlighting wanted criminals.
Cannabis factories were found in Salford and Wigan, eight people were charged for organised crime in Oldham and 36 arrests were made as part of a drugs operation in North Manchester.
The Xcalibre Task Force, a policing team that tackles gun and gang-related crime, worked with officers in Trafford to carry out eight firearm warrants on an organised crime group. Seven people were arrested after quantities of cocaine and cannabis were seized along with £1000.
Assistant Chief Constable Wiggett said: “We will still be out there on the streets keeping people safe, supporting victims of crime and tracking down our wanted criminals.
“My advice to anyone who knows that they are wanted would be to hand yourself in as you are still on our target list.”
If you are concerned about crime or antisocial behaviour where you live please call police on 101 or for more information visit www.gmp.police.uk
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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