Thousands of arrests made by GMP's specialist crime fighting Operation Vulcan team - with more promised

Greater Manchester Police's Operation Vulcan team have demonstrated they are a force to be reckoned with.

Since launching the first operation in Cheetham Hill in November 2022 to tackle the entrenched criminality which was harming local residents, the team have also made dents in Piccadilly Gardens, and now Derker, in Oldham.

The dedicated team of officers will embed into a community to support residents, whilst simultaneously targeting the criminals and problem solving the issues to ensure they not only tackle the root causes of the problems, but also build a community which is resilient to crime.

This proactive crime fighting approach has seen officers make over 1,000 arrests for a variety of offences including drug dealing, robbery and theft, child exploitation, driving offences, and trademark offences.

In Cheetham Hill, over 1,000 tonnes of counterfeit items were seized and repurposed into safe items which could be donated to local charities.

An investigation into an alleged drug dealing, money laundering organised crime group has seen 12 individuals charged with several offences, and a seizure of over £3 million worth of drugs.

As well as tackling these issues, they reformed the area, reducing violent crime by almost 70-per-cent, and a 100-per-cent reduction in stalking and harassment, an area which was previously rife for violence against women and girls.

The neighbourhood policing team remain in the area, and Operation Vulcan continue to support them and respond to community concerns and intelligence.

Last month (March 2025), the team supported the neighbourhood officers on a warrant at a premises in Cheetham Hill after they received intelligence that an online counterfeit trader was using the location to send and return illicit parcels from.

A warrant was executed, and police seized several parcels containing counterfeit items.

Whilst no counterfeit shops have reopened, officers always knew there was a possibility that traders would go online as a way to avoid the overt criminality – but GMP are working with national agencies to tackle this.

In Piccadilly Gardens, the team patrolled day and night to show criminals they were not welcome.

In doing so, this brought in external funding from investors, but they also made environmental changes with Manchester City Council to ensure the area was less susceptible to crime.

A proactive covert investigation saw an entire drugs line wiped out, with individuals jailed for over 100 years.

Now, in Derker, police officers continue with the same vigour, and in just one month they’ve made themselves known to the criminals, they’ve made over 30 arrests, seized 30 cars and electric bikes which were causing fear and intimidation in the area, and they continue to show a heightened presence in the area to reassure residents they are there for them.

Operation Vulcan are renowned for their problem-solving policing skills and have achieved national and international awards for their approach – a robust partnership method which brings together experts from all areas to make a real, long-lasting difference to the area.

Following a relentless campaign in Cheetham Hill, GMP's Chief Constable Stephen Watson QPM identified that this proactive model of policing could be applied to any area of the force, to effectively resolve issues for the communities.

Superintendent Jen Kelly, who leads Operation Vulcan, said: “The community is always at the heart of these operations, and their feedback is crucial to our policing plans.

"We work with them to show the criminals they are not welcome, and the team will work tirelessly to pursue offenders, safeguard victims, and improve the overall look and feel of the area.

“Operation Vulcan ensures that officers are dedicated to one area which has previously caused high and repeat demand for the force.

"By working closely with the neighbourhood team and PCSOs who have the local knowledge, they will use all resources available to make a dent in the criminality and bring further investment to the area.

"We want our communities to know the team and feel confident reporting issues to them, knowing their concerns will be taken seriously, and that our proactive approach will make a real difference to their area.”

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