Police arrest 38 after raids as part of action day in Bury

Hundreds of police officers gathered in the town centre early this morning to kickstart Operation Avro, a Greater Manchester Police (GMP) action day which goes to different boroughs every month.

Raids took place at Ulundi Street in Radcliffe as well as Norman Street and Victoria Street in Bury with other locations targeted across the borough by officers as well.

Those arrested were taken in custody on suspicion of a range of offences related to drugs, theft, fraud and assault.

In the previous weeks, police have said more than £500,000 worth of drugs have been taken off the streets of Bury too.

Bury Chief Superintendent Chris Hill spoke in the town centre this morning and said he aimed to arrest 100 people today as well as listen to the public and reassure them.

He said: “Operation Avro is our force response to take the fight to the criminal.

"Today (Thursday) I’m proud and privileged to be the district commander to have Operation Avro across the borough of Bury.

“Whether you live, work or just pass through Bury you’re going to see lots of yellow jackets but also lots of partners as well.

"Here at Bury and across GM we are really keen to work with our partners and lots of our partners are going to be doing lots of stuff today with lots of other people.

“It’s not just about kicking doors in and arresting people, it’s about working for the communities with the communities to make sure we safeguard as many people as we can.

“Ultimately what today is all about is getting the baddies off the streets and reassuring members of the public.”

One of the main concerns that the force was trying to tackle was speeding.

Members of the public have described the roads around Bury as being like a "racetrack".

Three operations have been stationed around Bury with speed guns, checking cars are insured and if people are using their mobile phones.

Police operations like Avro have proved to be successful in the past.

Chief Supt Hill added: “These sorts of operations definitely deter criminals. I’ve been on some warrants this morning and their faces are a picture.

“Going through a door, they’re not going to answer so we have our ‘door knocker’, they don’t expect it and they’re now in a custody cell where they will be interviewed so it’s great, and we’re knocking on all the doors round there and leafleting to say Operation Avro has been here today.

“Sometimes we don’t tell the public the good news we do so via social media and the media we need to get better at saying to members of the public this is what we’ve done. That’s what today is all about, telling everybody and the communities look what we can, and we will do today tomorrow and in the future.”

As well as the many arrest warrants, community events also took place across the day.

A National Police Air Service helicopter visited Hazel Wood High School in Bury and students from Hazel Wood and East Ward Primary School watched it land and got to sit in it and speak to officers.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes, Chief Superintendent Chris Hill, and a group of excited primary school children were on hand to welcome the helicopter.

A knife crime workshop was also held at Hazel Wood High School for year seven and members of the police and Northwest ambulance service delivered the talk speaking on the dangers and impacts of knife crime.

Crime prevention and personal safety stalls were set up in Kay Gardens in Bury town centre with St John Ambulance and police members giving first aid advice to the public.

Addressing the public about the policing work being done, Chief Supt Hill said: “GMP has got a plan, we call it a plan on a page and there are five public promises and they’re all really important.

“The main one for me is that GMP will respond to you, we will keep you safe, today this is about responding, keeping you safe and getting the baddies off our streets, that simple, you said we did.”