OPERATION SYCAMORE MAKES MULTIPLE ARRESTS RESULTING IN LETHAL WEAPONS REMOVED FROM THE STREETS OF GREATER MANCHESTER

Following a string of knife attacks within Salford and the Greater Manchester region across three consecutive weekends (22/01/22, 30/01/22, and 04/02/22) and other recent incidents of violence, Greater Manchester Police launched Operation Sycamore - a dedicated operation to fighting, preventing and reducing knife crime.

The operation has seen extra uniformed officers within communities across the region, specifically targeting hotspot areas for crime. Officers have focused on engaging with young people; challenging and responding to anti-social behaviour and crime and exercising their stop and search powers when required.

As a result, between Saturday 5 February and Sunday 13 February 2022, officers arrested 21 people across Greater Manchester for a range of serious offences including attempted murder, rape, possession of a pointed and bladed article, possession of offensive weapons, public order offences and burglary.

58 stop searches were conducted resulting in nine people being found in possession of cannabis and one person in possession of an offensive weapon.

Five weapons including a machete and a bat have also been seized.

An additional five people were arrested for drink driving after officers stopped 41 vehicles.

Greater Manchester Police also works as part of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, which is made up of agencies, professionals and the voluntary sector from across the city-region, who work together to understand the causes of violence and work with communities to prevent it.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes of Greater Manchester Police, said:

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"The impact of three incredibly tragic incidents over recent weeks is still being felt across our communities and GMP is committed to ensuring that the public are kept safe and we remove these lethal weapons from our streets.

"The public want to see police officers on their streets and challenging those who are causing issues, and Operation Sycamore is focused on doing just that. This initiative will carry on into the coming weeks and our officers will continue to stop and search individuals when needed, whilst also providing reassurance to members of the public who are concerned about issues in their area.

"I would urge anyone within the community that has information, or suspects someone is carrying a weapon or is involved in criminal behaviour, to report it to us or to contact Crimestoppers.

"I also directly appeal to those carrying weapons to surrender them in our Forever Amnesty bins - no questions asked. These are located at 13 police stations across Greater Manchester. These weapons ruin lives and I urge you to do the right thing, before it's too late."

 

Anyone with information can contact GMP via our LiveChat at gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity - Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.