Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Vulcan have launched a major crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour in Derker

Following the recent successes of the Operation Vulcan team, Greater Manchester Police’s Chief Constable commissioned the new Vulcan Futures initiative, which will see the tried and tested tactics from the original operational response applied to other areas of high and repeat demand across the force, revolutionising neighbourhood policing.

Building on the team’s operational successes in Cheetham Hill and Piccadilly Gardens, Derker, in Oldham, will now be the latest initiative to join the ranks of Operation Vulcan.

The launch of this operation will see a team of dedicated GMP officers and partners carrying out sustained, strategic disruptive activity to directly combat the issues which the community tell us are affecting them the most.

Working with Oldham Council, a variety of partner agencies, and using specialist resources from across the force, we’re determined to tackle anti-social behaviour, drug crime, vehicle crime and anti-social driving, child criminal exploitation, cuckooing, and violent crime.

Over the last few weeks, the Operation Vulcan team have been in Derker, getting to know the community, what their issues are, and conducting proactive patrols. In this time, they are already seeing positive results and progress. They have:

• Made 21 arrests for offences including possession of drugs, possession of weapons, money laundering, and firearms offences.
• Seized 12 vehicles which have been uninsured, driven dangerously or anti socially, or used to facilitate crime.
• Executed four warrants including a cannabis farm and a commercial premises where large quantities of class A drugs were seized. 
• Seized an electric bike they suspect to have been used in criminal activity in the area.

Detective Superintendent Jen Kelly, who is leading Operation Vulcan, said: “This new approach will enhance the work that is already being done in Derker and ensures all the expertise and skills of the force, and that of our partners, is brought together and used in a more targeted and effective way.

“This focused effort will see us relentlessly pursue the most harmful offenders, whilst identifying young people on the periphery of falling into a life of crime and referring them to other agencies to offer them ways out and support.

“This new approach will bring significant change to the area and will bolster the existing neighbourhood policing response to issues which our communities tell us are affecting them the most.

“Building community trust and confidence is an important part of Operation Vulcan’s success in bringing offenders to justice, and we look forward to working with Oldham Council and our partners to engage with the community and demonstrate our commitment to this initiative.”

Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah said: "Nobody wants anti-social behaviour and crime in their community. So, I'm glad we can be a partner in this project to crack down on what is a small number of people having a negative impact in Derker.

“I know that the vast majority of people want safe and peaceful neighbourhoods and I'm confident by working together, with members of the community, we can achieve that. This is a fantastic chance to have a real impact on people's lives and I look forward to seeing the progress."