Police crackdown on violent crime

Arrests have been made across Rochdale after a major crackdown on violent crime.

Hundreds of officers took part in early morning raids targeting violent criminals across Greater Manchester and more than 250 offenders have been arrested.

Police hunted down criminals responsible for alcohol-fuelled violent assaults and those who have jumped bail and were on the run.

So far, 171 people have been arrested this morning and are currently being dealt with either by police or by other law enforcement agencies.

A further 82 people were arrested over the past few days as part of the operation, taking the overall number of arrests past 250.

The major crack down is in response to a survey by the government revealing that one in three people across the North West perceive drunk or rowdy behaviour as a big or fairly big problem.

Greater Manchester Police Deputy Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: "Today we have sent out a powerful message to criminals who are responsible for the sorts of violent attacks the majority people of Greater Manchester rightly abhor.

"All too frequently, alcohol is a major cause of aggression and results in innocent people being subjected to violent and unprovoked assaults. What the offenders don't realise is the effect it has, not just on their victims, but their whole families. It can lead to depression and a real fear of not wanting to go out.

"That sort of behaviour will not go unpunished and today we have responded positively to the message we have been getting from our communities that these criminals should be locked up.

"That is why today we have launched this huge operation and a significant number of criminals have been arrested. But this is just the start of an ongoing process that will see Greater Manchester Police continually target those responsible for violent crime until the message sinks in."

In addition to the arrests, throughout today GMP will be working with the licensing trade to highlight the role they play in encouraging responsible drinking and ensuring their premises are adhering to licensing agreements. If any are found to be flouting the law then they will be closed down.

The operation will involve almost a third of all GMP officers and staff, and officers of all ranks from the Deputy Chief Constable to Police Community Support Officers have been deployed onto the streets.

The operation has been carefully planned and coordinated with the Crown Prosecution Service, courts and other law enforcement agencies. This coordinated approach has been taken to ensure that all detained persons are dealt with from the moment they come into police custody, enter the judicial process and finally appear before the courts.

Throughout the day, GMP is using a dedicated custody control system that will allow the Force to maximise the facilities it has and deal with the large number of prisoners. This system will also allow the Force to effectively manage those in custody, allocating resources such as extra custody officers, solicitors etc to divisions where there is the greatest need.

All available cells throughout Greater Manchester will be opened and additional prisoner buses have been hired for the day.

Where appropriate, prisoners arrested who have had warrants previously issued will be taken directly to court so they are not clogging up the custody system. Some offenders will be dealt with through alternative means such as fixed penalty notices.

The operation is being supported by Greater Manchester Police's Think safe, Drink safe campaign to encourage sensible drinking. People aren't being told not to go out and have fun, but to keep safe by sticking together with friends, pacing your drinks and planning your journey home.

999 calls and day-to-day policing will not be affected. Response teams are not being directed away from their day-to-day duties so the public will not experience any delays as a result of the operation.