Operation AVRO targets organised crime in Wigan

It was part of an Operation AVRO day of action in the Platt Bridge and Hindley Green areas on Thursday (May 23).

Police uncovered large amounts of cash, drugs and weapons. including burglary, possession with intent to supply class A drugs, breaches of a court order, and possession of firearms.

A total of 52 people were arrested.

Police seized £44,000 was seized during the searches, with one warrant uncovering a loaded firearm 30 rounds of ammunition and a silencer.

AVRO is a force-wide initiative that delivers a surge of extra resources and specialist officers to a different district within Greater Manchester each month.

Pictures from Greater Manchester Police's Operation AVRO day of action targeting organised crime in Wigan (Image: Greater Manchester Police)The day saw police take part in a number of activities through proactive policework, tackling the issues which matter most to the community.

A traffic operation in Leigh resulted in a total of 163 offences being recorded, with 71 traffic offences, 40 speeding offences, one vehicle seizure and one arrest. Traders were stopped and spoken to by our partners at Wigan Trading Standards.

Joint premises visits were conducted with Trading Standards, with three businesses targeted resulting in 7,100 illegal cigarettes and 79 illegal vapes recovered, with a value of £3,000. Twelve off licenses were visited in order to combat street drinking and illegal sales, with five license breaches recorded and high strength alcohol removed from sale.

Working to help inspire the next generation of community protectors, our mini police interviewed Greater Manchester Police's Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle at St Catherine’s C of E Primary School.

The mini police scheme, run by neighbourhood officers, sees children aged eight to 10 from primary schools across Wigan engage in activities to build a strong relationship between the young people of Greater Manchester and the police.

Pictures from Greater Manchester Police's Operation AVRO day of action targeting organised crime in Wigan (Image: Greater Manchester Police)The programme is designed to introduce children to the world of law enforcement and instead of traditional perceptions of the police, this programme aims to break down barriers within younger communities to establish a connection between young individuals and local officers which will create a positive attitude towards the role of police officers in society.

Officers from Greater Manchester Police's Tactical Mounted Unit provided a highly visible and reassuring presence throughout the day, focussing on hot spot areas and the Public Space Protection Order zone.

Assistant Chief Constable Matt Boyle said: "Operation AVRO is our force-wide operation which visits the 10 districts of Greater Manchester each month.

“Yesterday, our officers and staff deployed across Wigan in response to listening to the communities needs in regard to drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, burglary and many other issues that matter most to local people.

“We conducted several warrants in the area and throughout the day, through our roadside operations, multi-agency visits and engagements with local schools, ensuring a successful day of proactive policing activity across the district.”