Police recover firearm in Derker woodland

During the early hours of yesterday morning (Thursday), police officers from Operation Vulcan conducted a search of secluded woodland in the Derker area, as part of ongoing weapon sweep initiatives.

During the search of the area of woodland at the end of Acre Lane - behind residential properties on Fontwell Lane - officers located what they believe to be a handgun, namely a revolver.

This was safely and forensically recovered and will be examined by expert officers to determine if it is a viable weapon.

Building on the team’s operational successes in Cheetham Hill and Piccadilly Gardens, Derker, in Oldham, is the latest initiative to join the ranks of Operation Vulcan.

The operation sees a team of dedicated GMP officers and partners carrying out sustained, strategic disruptive activity to directly combat the issues which the community tell officers are affecting them the most.

Working with a variety of partner agencies, and using specialist resources from across the force, GMP officers are determined to tackle anti-social behaviour, drug crime, vehicle crime and anti-social driving, child criminal exploitation, cuckooing, and violent crime.

Detective Chief Inspector Christian Julien, from Operation Vulcan, said: “This successful weapon sweep in Derker demonstrates Operation Vulcan’s continued commitment to making Oldham’s streets safer.

“The recovery of this firearm is significant - firearms have plagued our community for too long, and we are doing everything in our power to get these lethal weapons off our streets.

“We will relentlessly pursue offenders who choose to carry and use these lethal weapons, which threaten the safety of the community, and will work tirelessly to identify, locate and recover illegal firearms through operations like this one.

“Since 2021, we have successfully recovered 315 firearms across our operations, and each weapon taken off the streets potentially saves lives.

If you have any information about firearms, or other criminality in Derker and Oldham, police encourage you to report it to them, so they can investigate and pursue offenders who are causing serious harm to your community.

Information can be shared by calling 101, or by using our Live Chat function online here

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, call the independent charity Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.

Throughout the most recent month of Operation Vulcan, 27 people were arrested for a variety of offences, including drug dealing possession of weapons, drink-driving, theft offences, and court breaches.

In addition to the arrests – many of which were followed by charges – 18 people were dealt with by means of out-of-court disposals.

Of the 100 stop-searches conducted in May, 29 were positive, and saw drugs, weapons, and prohibited items seized and processed.

The drug seizures from the work include 102 wraps of crack and heroin, 33 snap bags of cannabis, and multiple tubs of the same drug.

More than £4,000 in suspected illicit criminal cash was seized in addition to eight electric / off-road bikes.

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