Operation AVRO makes another solid impact across Tameside just before the big day!

Greater Manchester Police's latest Operation AVRO focused on continuing to take the fight back to the criminals with a dash of festive cheer thrown in just before the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The operation, which brings together resources from all 10 GMP districts, saw an increased police visibility across the Tameside district on Thursday 22 December 2022.

Early morning warrants were conducted, including the uncovering of a large-scale cannabis farm and weapons as sparks flew when the angle grinder cut through the storage facility. The result also helps the force tackle possible risks around fires from electricals and potential modern slavery concerns that can be linked to crime.

Tameside Council officers also ran taxi safety checks and hosted community safety stands in Ashton, Stalybridge, Hyde and Denton, offering personal crime prevention and anti-crime advice.

A show of force was present for a briefing at Hyde Market Place for the public to see the co-ordinated effort by different GMP branches from all levels ahead of another successful operation from the first one back in February of this year.

Alongside fantastic proactive community and partner engagement a total of 36 arrests were carried out with 14 search warrants executed.

In addition, traffic operations saw more key results, including two arrests for disqualified and drug driving, a summons for no insurance and 18 traffic offence reports including 10 seizures mainly for no insurance and licence.

Examples of work carried out by officers included a warrant on a group of people believed to be involved in the theft of motor vehicles, as well as fail to appear in court arrests. Another warrant was conducted at a property later in the day in Dukinfield in relation to drugs.

Presents and hampers were also given out in the Ashton area to those at this time of year who may be vulnerable or a victim of crime, whilst the police cadets met at Hyde before helping in the afternoon, giving out crime prevention advice through leaflet drops.

Chief Superintendent Phil Davies of GMP’s Tameside district, said: “It was another fantastic day and good successes all-round, including finding a huge cannabis farm and weapons as well as arresting some organised crime members.

“We’ve again been protecting the public which included high-visibility patrols in key areas as well as delivering Christmas presents to recent vulnerable people who have unfortunately been the victims of burglary.

“Overall, we’ve had some real good Christmas spirit involving the whole team alongside some hard work and will continue to serve our local community over the festive period and into 2023 as we aim to continue our improvements as a force.”

Tameside Council Executive Member Councillor Vimal Choksi, who is responsible for community safety, said: “It's great to see another successful Operation AVRO day of action, which supports our wider multi-agency work to take a robust, partnership approach to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour issues of concern to our local community.

“This work is ongoing, and our officers continue to be out day in, day out tackling crime and antisocial behaviour to help make Tameside safer.”

What is Operation AVRO?

Operation AVRO is a force wide initiative that delivers extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month and launched just over a year ago in Salford in October 2021.

Since then, it has travelled around the force with the operation targeting crimes and concerns that members of the public in that district have told GMP give them the most concern.

For more information, visit: Operation AVRO | Greater Manchester Police (gmp.police.uk)