Police have made more than 50 arrests across Bury this week in an operation aimed at tackling crime in the borough.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) began Operation Avro with an early morning briefing on Thursday in Bury town centre, next to the statue of Robert Peel.

Peel founded the Metropolitan Police, the world's first police force in 1829 after being born in Bury.

Officers in Bury made a total of 52 arrests yesterday, Thursday, for a range of offences including drug supply and burglary as part of the operation, a monthly GMP initiative that sees tackle crime, provide high visibility controls and engage with the community.

In total, 22 warrants were carried out in the district after an early morning briefing.

READ MORE: Teen arrested and two knives recovered by Operation Venture in Bury

Bury Times: Operation Avro in Bury saw officers identify 127 traffic offencesOperation Avro in Bury saw officers identify 127 traffic offences (Image: GMP)

More than 23,000 cigarettes were seized, along with 19.25kg of tobacco and 784 illicit vapes, leaving a total street value in seizures worth £30,000. Several cannabis farms were also seized.

The operation also saw officers identify 127 traffic offences being committed, including 73 speeding offences. In total, eight vehicles were seized.

Other activity included weapons sweeps around the Metrolink station and knife arches set up at the station and Heaton Park. Mounted police patrols took place in the town centre to provide visible reassurance to the community.

As well as the raids, officers also held events within the local communities, such as a police helicopter landing on the fields of Guardian Angels Primary School.

READ MORE: Bury: Man taken to hospital after being hit by car on Walmersley Road

Bury Times: Officers made 52 arrests in Bury as part of Operation AvroOfficers made 52 arrests in Bury as part of Operation Avro (Image: GMP)

Youngsters were able to ask questions of the police officers and pilot on board and even got the chance to sit inside the cockpit.

Elsewhere, officers joined Paul McGovern MBE, to deliver an ‘Actions have Consequences’ session to pupils at Hazel Wood High School.

GMP runs Avro from a different district within Greater Manchester each month, in a bid to tackle the communities’ top concerns.

Chief Superintendent Chris Hill, from GMP’s Bury Division, said: “I’m excited to have replicated the achievements of last year, it was a great accomplishment.

Bury Times: Officers began the day with an early morning briefing in Bury town centreOfficers began the day with an early morning briefing in Bury town centre (Image: GMP)

“I enjoyed getting out and about, meeting members of the community and working with our officers from across the force.

“We will take the fight to the criminal and we will take the drugs and the equipment that they use to grow drugs off the streets. We can only do that with the information from our communities – you said, we did.

“With your help, we have stopped future cannabis grows in the community of Bury.”