Greater Manchester Police conducted raids in Stockport as part of Operation AVRO. They also educated children about knife crime.
As part of the Operation, police acted on Thursday, February 13, arresting sixty-five people. In addition, some officers focused on teaching children about the dangers of knife crime, focusing on prevention. Chief Supt. Hughes spoke at St Anne’s academy.
St Anne’s hosted the talk for the third consecutive year. It served to highlight the stark impact of knife crime within their community. The school hopes to prevent knife crime and keep students safe. GMP’s help is key to this endeavor.
The sessions were designed to be a safe space for kids to ask questions. Stockport Councillor Helen Foster-Grime joined GMP during the event. Stockport is one of Greater Manchester’s safest areas, and the goal is to maintain this.
Foster-Grime supports Operation Avro, recognizing its impact on tackling crime and making residents feel safe. She encourages people to talk to police so they can work together for safety. A St Anne’s spokesperson praised GMP’s talk, noting the resources made a big impact and students asked thoughtful questions.
Operation AVRO was led by Chief Supt. Lewis Hughes. He stated that they tackled crime that day, utilizing public tips to make arrests. He thanked people for talking to officers. Operation AVRO showcases GMP’s daily work to fight crime across Greater Manchester.
During the raids, police stopped 145 vehicles and issued fifty-five traffic offence reports. Thirteen stop and searches occurred, resulting in three vehicles being seized. Officers also conducted twenty-two community events and executed ten warrants for various crimes. One raid in Cheadle Hulme found cannabis plants with an estimated street value of £300,000; the warrants targeted drugs and car thefts.