Neighbourhood crime day of action launched across Greater Manchester

Officers will be specifically focussed on targeting vehicle crime, putting extra focus and resources on tackling theft of and from motor vehicles

Author: Olivia DaviesPublished 25th Jan 2024

Today (Thursday 25 January 2024) marks the launch of Greater Manchester Police's vehicle crime day of action across Greater Manchester.

Officers across the force have previously joined Operation Acquire activity which showcase successes in reducing neighbourhood crime with extra officers and resources dedicated to areas across Greater Manchester with a collective goal; to target and arrest those who are suspected of committing neighbourhood crime.

The vehicle crime day of action falls within the national neighbourhood policing week (22-29 January 2024), a combined opportunity to highlight great neighbourhood police work in Greater Manchester.

Neighbourhood crime consists of vehicle crime, domestic burglary, theft from a person (including pickpocketing) and robbery which are often crimes are some of the most impactive to those who live in our communities and remains a force priority.

Today (Thursday 25 January) , officers will be specifically focussed on targeting vehicle crime in our Operation Acquire vehicle crime day of action, which will run across Greater Manchester, putting extra focus and resources on tackling theft of and from motor vehicles.

Members of the public will see an increase in policing activity through the day, such as highly visible patrols around hotspot areas that have recently seen an increase in car thefts with officers handing out crime prevention leaflets to members of the public, officers will also be using a variety of proactive policing tactics during the day in efforts to reduce vehicle crime.

The force’s considerable efforts to reduce vehicle crime will be intensified throughout the day with neighbourhood officers focussing on preventing, targeting and reducing this type of crime.

Chief Superintendent Ian Jones, who leads GMP’s fight against neighbourhood crime, said: “We strive to create safer neighbourhoods across Greater Manchester, and tackling these crime types on specified days of action give us a really good opportunity to showcase the dedicated work that goes into tackling each neighbourhood crime across the force.

“Operation Acquire will run once a month with a focus on a specific neighbourhood crime type so we can focus our efforts in increasing policing activity."

Superintendent Danny O Neil, of GMP’s Bolton district and also force lead for vehicle crime, said: “First and foremost, I would like to highlight that our fight against vehicle crime and our efforts to prevent and tackle it will not stop here, neighbourhood officers continue to work hard both out and about in your neighbourhood and also behind the scenes to reduce vehicle offences in Greater Manchester.

“Vehicle crime, along with all neighbourhood offences, are intrusive and those responsible show a complete disregard for their community and our public, rightly, expect a great service from us including intensified activity that will keep you, your property and your community safe from crime.

“We will absolutely continue to take action against those we believe are responsible for neighbourhood crime and intelligence from members of the public is vital and I would like to thank the public for their support so far with Operation Acquire, and I ask that you continue to report to us or Crimestoppers and follow our crime prevention advice on gmp.police.uk to keep yourself, your property and your vehicle safe from crime.

"If you have any information, however small you think that is, please contact us or inform Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111."

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