We’re coming to get you, Mayor warns gangsters

Greater Manchester’s Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd

Communities across Greater Manchester are taking a stand with police against gangsters, Greater Manchester’s Mayor and Police & Crime Commissioner says.

In recent weeks there have been a string of successes against organised crime including:

• Significant arrests in Greater Manchester and abroad
• Major gangsters being locked up
• Huge raids that have seen massive amounts of illegal drugs and counterfeit goods seized
• A report from Government inspectors which says that GMP is one of the best police forces in the country when it comes to dealing with organised criminals.

Mr Lloyd said: “Gangsters think they can cause fear to build a wall of silence so they can do what they like, but here in Greater Manchester they have no such power because communities across our region are shoulder-to-shoulder with police and other agencies to take a stand against organised crime.

“We have seen some remarkable successes in recent weeks and months which shows that organised crime groups are losing any grip they think they have in Greater Manchester.

“Gangsters should fear our simple message: Greater Manchester people reject you, and Greater Manchester Police is coming to get you.”

Mr Lloyd was speaking as he met with bosses from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary. That body rates the effectiveness of police forces and just last month said that GMP was one of the best in the country for dealing with gangsters.

In its report, HMIC said: “Organised crime groups [in Greater Manchester] are identified at local and force levels and good systems are in place to tackle these groups using a wide range of options. The force has committed significant resources to manage the ongoing threat.”

In particular, HMIC praised the work being done by Operation Challenger, which is the partnership team set up by GMP, councils and other bodies to engage with local people to smash organised crime groups. HMIC says that Challenger is disrupting and dismantling gangs across Greater Manchester.

Mr Lloyd added there was much work still to do before gangs became a thing of the past.

He said: “None of this should leave any room for complacency – there are still an estimated 178 of organised crime groups across Greater Manchester peddling misery and fear and we must not rest until their power is crushed.

“That’s why it’s so important for GMP to make this a top priority, work in real and genuine partnership with other agencies and local communities, and ensure that when people come forward with information they are protected.

“I can give a commitment that in my role as Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner I will continue to make sure that this issue is prioritised and GMP, other agencies, and – most importantly of all – local people are given the tools they need to smash these gangs.”