High profile operation targets organised crime

Operation Brunel has been launched in response to an increase in organised crime groups involved with the supply of class A drugs across Greater Manchester

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Residents across Greater Manchester have welcomed a crackdown on organised crime that has resulted in over 100 arrests.

Operation Brunel has been launched in response to an increase in organised crime groups involved with the supply of class A drugs across Greater Manchester. They are particularly active in Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, North Manchester and Bolton. Several groups have been prepared to use guns to settle their feuds and four lives have already been lost.

The first month of action is already having an impact with 106 arrests, 239 stop checks and 27 vehicles siezed.

Operation Brunel is intelligence-led and aims to create a hostile environment for these organised crime groups to operate in. It uses a new Force tactic, Vortex, which is made up of all the specialist units within Greater Manchester Police (GMP) such as the Tactical Aid Unit (TAU), mounted police and the dog, traffic and air support units, which provide a very visible presence. It is also working with the Regional Intelligence Unit, SOCA, the Counter Terrorism Unit and the Asset Recovery Agency to make sure every available tool is being used to tackle the issue.

This activity has been well received in all the communities, who have stated that it is good to see positive action being taken to deal with drug-related crime.

ACC Dave Thompson said: "These groups are extremely well organised and the crimes they commit, mainly drug dealing, finances their affluent lifestyles. This is just the start of an ongoing operation that aims to break up these groups, enforce the law and prosecute where possible. There have already been four people killed and a number of firearms incidents involving these criminals, and we are resolute in not allowing this to escalate.

"The key to the success of this operation is the support of the public. Residents have already provided us with valuable information, which has proved vital, and we are urging the public to continue to do this, confident that it we will act on their information."

Police are working closely with community leaders, councils, intervention projects and the communities themselves to look at ways of reducing organised crime across these areas. They will be using legislation, such as the Proceeds of Crime Act, to confiscate assets gained from criminal activity and giving back to communities through local initiatives.

"The message is clear, that crime does not pay and we will use the full force of the law to put an end to the activities of a small minority of callous criminals, whose activities have such a negative effect on our communities and the quality of the lives of law-abiding, decent people," concludes Dave Thompson.