Operation Avro huge success in Bolton says police chief

Chief Superintendent Steph Parker spoke out  following the high profile policing operation Avro which led to dozens of arrests.

A total of 52 arrests were made, with officers targeting everything from drugs to speeding, with the day-long operation designed to complement the day-to-day policing in the town.

Police teamed up with council officers to carry out raids.

Operation Avro (Image: GMP)

Ch Supt Parker said: “Over the past 12 months we have listened to the community, and we know that your concerns are around dangerous and speeding drivers, drugs, anti-social behaviour, and serious violence.

“Please keep talking to us, we need to know what matters to you, and how we can make Bolton a safer and stronger community.

“Operation AVRO is a successful operation to do the police work we are trained to do.

“The officers want the public to feel safe and we will do our best with the information and intel we have to make the streets safer.

“I also want to encourage people to report things and to give us intel because in many cases we make arrests after gathering intel given to us by the public, so it does help us massively.”

During Operation Avro a large, highly sophisticated cannabis farm was uncovered, after police acted on intelligence from the public through Crimestoppers, along with several traffic related offences and a knife being recovered from the street.

Operation Avro (Image: GMP)

Working with Bolton Council’s trading standards team, around 17 premises were also raided, with illicit tobacco and nitrous oxide being taken off the streets that sniffer dogs revealed.

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The sniffer dog alerted the team to the wall of a shop which revealed an improvised hydraulic lift system full of illegal tobacco products.

Officers from the GMP Traffic department recorded a total of 354 traffic offences with 282 of those related to speeding at two check sites throughout the day.

A total of eight vehicles were seized and six arrests made, which included, illegal tinting, drug driving and no insurance and 27 taxi licencing checks were conducted along with partner agencies.

Officers delivered knife crime workshops to local primary schools, so pupils understood and learnt about the dangers and consequences of carrying knives.

Read more: Breightmet: Two arrested for multiple offences

Working in conjunction with the prevention of crime is the care for victims through  Victim Services

Out of the 52 arrests, 21 had victims attached to crimes, with some being contacted by victim support to offer their services.

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Garry Parker, Bolton Council’s Assistant Director for Environment and Regulatory Services, said: “This was a great example of partnership working, with our enforcement officers collaborating closely with Greater Manchester Police to clamp down on illicit trading.

“This council has a zero-tolerance policy towards those who damage our communities by selling illicit tobacco, illegal vaping products, nitrous oxide for recreational use, and other harmful goods.

“Products like this put public safety at risk, undermine confidence in legitimate businesses and, in some cases, help to fund organised crime.

“Today’s raids were possible thanks to the information we received from concerned members of the public.

“I would urge anyone who suspects a business of offering harmful goods, or selling to underage customers, to let us know so we can hold those responsible to account.”