Bolton Police Inspector Lisa Clarke on local force

Inspector Lisa Clarke told The Bolton News that it can be "very risky" for officers "not knowing what they are going into" as her officers took part in a week of action.

Officers have been out and about conducting raids, speed operations and community visits.

Although not all raids have resulted in an arrest,  Insp Clarke says that in one case police were acting on  result of information received by the public, and she stressed that people's concerns are being listed to.

Insp Clarke said: “We gather covert intelligence and receive information from the public.

• ALSO READ: Bolton Police take part in Week of Action targeting different crimes

“It’s up to us to get the resources and team together.

Bolton Police warrant carried out this morning (Image: Newsquest)

“We don’t get as much from the public as we would like, so we 100 per cent encourage the public to come forward with any concerns that they have in their local community to share with the police, so we can act on that information.”

• ALSO READ: Goods seized as part of police operation

There is always a daily risk for officers when it comes to carrying out warrants said Inspector Clarke and that there is a concern as to whether children may be inside.

She added: “There is only so much information you can find out about a property and who is inside.

“There is a concern for children, as you know it’s upsetting,

“It can be very risky when you don’t know what you’re going into, which is why we specialist officers with specific equipment.”

Bolton police warrant carried out this morning (Image: Newsquest)

• ALSO READ: Bolton to see biggest change to police 'in a generation'

Inspector Clarke says that no matter how small the information from the public, it could help “form part of a bigger picture”, which will be handed to the relevant team to act on.

If there is sufficient information this will then go to the Magistrates Court to appeal for a warrant to enter the premises.

The warrants were carried out as part of standard police work, which has coincided with the Week of Action being carried out by police across Bolton and the rest of Greater Manchester.

Inspector Clarke said: “We are trying to deal with what the community is telling us, listening to the community, and being more active so they can see the benefits, and acting on their concerns.

“But it’s not just this week, warrants can be carried out at least once a month.”

In a new back to basics approach, officers have been conducting operations targeting different issues every day.

This includes speeding, executing warrants for arrests, tackling issues with trading standards, burglaries, and more.

This week so far, the Town Centre and Great Lever Neighbourhood officers have been working proactively over the last couple of days, which has resulted in some positive results:

• One male has been arrested and charged with criminal damage and allegedly making threats to cause criminal damage.
• Five males and one vehicle were stopped and searched under Misuse of Drugs Act, resulting in intelligence being submitted.
• Two school meetings were also held in the town centre in order to help reduce anti-social behaviour.
• Meetings took place at retail premises with the crime prevention team in order to improve target strengthening.
• Two positive stop and searches were carried out after stock was stolen from a Boots store, and as per the wishes of the store, the stock was recovered, and the offenders were spoken to accordingly.

If anyone would like to send information to the police this can be done via an online report on GMP’s website for their community team, via public meetings which can also be found on the website or reported anonymously to Crimestoppers.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.