3,000 police in blitz on yobs

Reporter: by Richard Hooton
Date online: 21 August 2009

24-hour operation to ride streets of drunken thugs

POLICE are flooding the streets with 3,000 officers today to hunt down drunken yobs.

In a major operation, Greater Manchester Police says its full might will be felt across the region in a bid to lock-up violent offenders.

Operation Admiral follows Oldham’s binge-drinking and late-night violence problems being broadcast across the country in BBC’s “Panorama”.

Yorkshire Street alone witnessed a 200 per cent increase in serious violent incidents in the first four months of this year.

Police chiefs have released CCTV footage of a booze-fuelled violent attack in Oldham to graphically demonstrate what they aim to stamp out.

They say their action is in response to a Government survey revealing that one in three people across the North-West perceive drunk or rowdy behaviour as a big problem. The 24-hour blitz began at 5am and ends tomorrow morning. Warrants will be executed to track down known offenders wanted for violent crime and bring them to justice.

And GMP is working with the licensing trade to highlight the role they play in encouraging responsible drinking. Any found flouting the law will be closed down.

Alcohol

Deputy Chief Constable, Simon Byrne said: “We’re going after violent offenders, particularly where alcohol is involved, and sending out a clear message that if you get involved with crime then we will find you and lock you up quickly.

“Information passed to us by the public plays a vital role in helping us get criminals off the streets. We listen to everything we’re told and will act on it to fight against this violent crime.”

The CCTV footage above shows Terrence Calder (26), of Wenfield Drive, Blackley, attacking a man on November 2, 2006, outside the Aruba bar in Fairbottom Street.

He repeatedly punched and kicked his victim in the head, stabbed him three times and bit his finger. The wounds were so big that hospital staff were unable to stitch them.

Calder was jailed for five-and-a-half years on February 12 at Minshull Street Crown Court after pleading guilty to wounding. His victim eventually made a full recovery.

Footage has also been released of three men assaulting two victims outside a nightclub in Ashton-in-Makerfield on February 8. They were jailed for three-and-a-half years.

The operation has been planned and co-ordinated with the Crown Prosecution Service, courts and other law enforcement agencies. It’s supported by GMP’s “Think safe, Drink safe” campaign to encourage sensible drinking.

GMPA chairman Councillor Paul Murphy said: “Violent crime is a problem both the force and authority are committed to tackling. We hope this operation it will make a significant contribution to keeping Greater Manchester streets safe.”

Police say action to tackle violent crime is working with figures showing it’s fallen by 8.5 per cent across the force — equating to 4,276 fewer victims.

Oldham Council is also working to reclaim the streets from drunken louts by introducing strict new rules, including Post Office-style queues, in bars plugging cheap drinks.