Nearly 400 arrests as police sweep up crime

Nearly 400 arrests so far this week as police sweep up crime across Greater Manchester

Nearly 400 arrests have been made this week as police sweep up crime across Greater Manchester.

Police officers from across the Greater Manchester Police force have been targeting the county’s most wanted criminals in a bid to spring clean our streets. The operation will continue for the coming weeks.

Between 25 and 27 March police arrested 396 people and executed 56 warrants in a bid to clamp down on overall crime. They have also carried out disruption visits to 565 known offenders within the region. Arrests were for a variety of offences including robbery, drug-related crime, burglary, driving offences, domestic abuse and rape.

Four arrests have been made as a direct result of information from the public who saw wanted offenders on the ad vans that have been driving around Rochdale and Manchester.

Typically, at this time of year, as the clocks go forward and days get longer, there is a rise in antisocial behaviour, robbery and burglary.

People are reminded that officers will be out and about patrolling communities across the Force to keep this type of crime to a minimum during the school break. They will be making young people aware of the activities available to them across the holiday period and victims will be contacted by officers and kept updated of actions taken.

Parents are advised to ensure they are aware of where their children are and where they are going at all times and to encourage them to find alternative activities during the holidays at venues such as local leisure centres and youth clubs.

Assistant Chief Constable Ian Wiggett for Greater Manchester Police, said: “With the clocks going forward and residents being at home during the Easter break we know it is a time for you to be more relaxed about home security. Unfortunately this provides thieves with an easy opportunity to steal property.

“Our advice to the public is to ensure that windows and doors are kept locked - even when you are at home. Don’t make yourself an easy target and ensure you look out for each other and your neighbours.

“We have been working hard to sweep our streets of the offenders that cause the most harm to our communities, this is reflected in the results so far. My advice to anyone who knows that they are wanted would be to hand yourself in or you will find yourself a target of our spring clean.

“Antisocial behaviour can sometimes be a problem while children are on holiday from school. This is an issue we take extremely seriously as people tell us that it can have a huge impact on their daily lives, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns.”