GMP determined to make Bury a "safer place” as Operation Avro led to 80 arrests.

Operation Avro led to 80 arrests in Bury last Thursday, for a range of offences including drugs supply and burglary.

The operation is a Police-led initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month, in a bid to tackle the communities’ top concerns. 

Over 300 arrests have been made since the first Op Avro in October 2021.  

It also saw officers identifying 120 traffic offences being committed including 32 speeding offences. In total, approximately £650,000 worth of Class A and Class B drugs and £2,000 cash was seized. 

The Manchester Knife bee is a partner agency that delivers workshops to the public, focusing on matters such as rental property law and advice and youth services. 

North West Ambulance Service, alongside GMP visited Hazel Wood High school to speak to the Year 7 pupils about the dangers of carrying a knife.

The pupils were surprised by the appearance of a police helicopter that landed on the school field. These activities were part of the Violence Reduction Unit’s campaign to decrease teenage knife crime. 

In addition, Bury Council team of officers dealt with a number of waste carrier and trading standards checks on vehicles, as well as a large number of taxis stopped and checked for correct licensing across the district. 

Work involving police and trading standards also saw 2,800 cigarettes and 547 counterfeit items seized from across the district. 

Chief Superintendent Chris Hill, from GMPs Bury Division, said: “We are determined to make Bury a safer place to live, and yesterday’s day of action highlighted some of the important work we are doing not only during op Avro but every day, to achieve this. 

“I’d like to reassure the public that we do listen to your concerns and take them on board when prioritising where we need to be and what we need to crack down on to make people feel safer and we will continue to do so. 

“We had some good results yesterday and I hope this day of action serves as a reminder to anyone who engages in criminal activity that we will be coming for you. Our communities deserve to feel safe in their homes and when out and about living their daily lives and protecting the public remains our number one priority. 

"Lastly, I want to urge anyone who witnesses an incident, or needs to report a crime to contact us on our website or call 101. You can make reports anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."