New team to track roaming criminals

Date published: 28 January 2010

CROSS-BORDER criminals are being targeted by a new Seek and Arrest team created by Greater Manchester Police.

Burglars, robbers and car thieves that move across different boroughs will be targeted by the specialised team as part of Operation Mistral.

The team consists of dedicated crime analysts, intelligence officers and senior investigation officers that deploy a range of specialist officers, including tactical aid and roads policing units, to support local policing teams in targeting prolific offenders.

The task force, based at Cheadle Heath police station, will initially target criminals crossing between Manchester and Stockport.

However, offenders across the whole of the Greater Manchester area will be under surveillance.

Chief Supt Mark Granby, a former uniformed chief inspector in Oldham, leads Operation Mistral.

He said: “Criminals do not recognise geographical boundaries and neither does Mistral.

“The whole of Greater Manchester will become a hostile environment to them where the only credible option will be to give themselves up.

“People can help us in this by giving us information on criminal activity either directly on 0161-872 5050 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“Even the smallest suspicion relayed to us could be that vital piece of the jigsaw that we need to launch a successful conviction.”