Greater Manchester Districts


Under Programme Challenger there are teams on each District to tackle serious and organised crime. Please see below for information on each area

About Greater Manchester

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974.

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester.

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay. Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Totals

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Bolton

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Bury

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Manchester

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Oldham

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Rochdale

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Salford

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Stockport

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Tameside

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Trafford

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 

Wigan

Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in the North West of England, with a population of 2,782,100. It encompasses one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United Kingdom and comprises of ten metropolitan boroughs. Greater Manchester was created on the 1st April 1974 as a result of the Local Government Act 1974. 

Greater Manchester spans 493 square miles, it is the second most populous urban area in the UK. It is landlocked and borders Cheshire, Derbyshire, West Yorkshire, Lancashire and Merseyside. There is a mix of high density urban areas, suburbs, semi rural and rural locations in Greater Manchester, but the land use is mostly urban- the product of concentric urbanisation and industrialisation which occurred mostly during the 19th century when the region flourished as the global centre for the cotton industry.  

Youthful, diverse, energetic and bursting with character; Manchester is one of the most exciting places to visit in the UK.

Known throughout the world as the birthplace of the industrial revolution, Manchester has a proud history in science, politics, music, arts and sport. And today the city combines this heritage with a progressive vision to be a city that delivers surprise and delight in equal measures. The bee has recently become the unofficial badge of Manchester. 

Manchester city centre is jam-packed with unique and eclectic restaurants, bars, shops, museums, galleries, hotels and places to stay.  Whilst the surrounding Greater Manchester boroughs offer a patch-work of visitor experiences including quaint market towns, traditional pubs and beautiful green spaces and waterways to be explored on foot or bike. The city region is easily navigated, with great transport links both in and around Greater Manchester.

Furthermore, a packed calendar of world-class events and festivals – from the landmark Manchester International Festival to the enchanting Manchester Christmas Markets means that Manchester is always a busy place to be. 







Bolton

The Bolton Challenger Team  run a tactical meeting every month and these are attended by Housing Services, DWP, Health, Children and Adult Services and HM Prison and Probation Service to name but a few. 

Operation Nou was an investigation into a suspected Bolton based international network of illegal & drug supply running into millions of pounds. On Wednesday 2nd May four people were arrested following morning raids across the division by police officers and investigators from the Medicines and Health Care Regulatory Authority (MHRA). Search warrants were executed at five premises where hundreds of pounds of drugs were recovered. The suspects were arrested on suspicion to supply medicines, class C drugs and money laundering. 

Operation Guard was a joint investigation working with partners looking at 'chop shops'. Two offenders have been arrested and released under investigation for offences relating to theft of motor vehicles and burglary. Stolen vehicles and parts were recovered from Century Mill in Farnworth.

Some recent arrests include a Hungarian female for trafficking offences, as she was forcing vulnerable females to work in the sex trade. 

A man and a woman were arrested under the drug and firearms act following execution of a warrant at their address. Two children were taken into police protection, firearms, ammunition and drugs were recovered. This was a good piece of joint working with partners.

A routine vehicle check resulted in two offenders bring arrested and charged with drug offences, police assault and criminal damage. £38,000 of assets were seized and thousands of pounds of class A drugs.

Training and awareness raising has been delivered by PCSO Flannery who has provided inputs to both staff and pupils at Park Academy, Turton High School and Cannon Slade School. These inputs were around Trapped and organised crime and criminal exploitation of children.



Image: Horwich Hall, Bolton





Bury

Challenger Bury has a multi agency approach to tackling organised crime and works closely with:

  • Local housing providers
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • Trading Standards
  • HM Immigration

Although the team is not co-located with partner agencies, they chair and conduct monthly partnership meetings whereby relevant information is shared to facilitate effective disruption of Organised Crime Groups.

Co-located within the team is a dedicated Financial Investigator who provides advice and expertise in relation to Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) and other financial investigations undertaken by the borough.


Image: Mill Gate Shopping Centre, Bury





City of Manchester

Challenger Manchester have been working hard to tackle Organised Crime Groups, here is some of our recent activity.

Operation Danube

An investigation into the supply of class A drugs in the North Manchester area where undercover police officers have been supplied with both heroin and crack cocaine.

There have been 38 arrests, with the majority of those being charged and remanded in custody.

24 of these offenders were sentenced in April 2018 to a total of 61 years and 6 months.

Operation Dragonfire

Following an investigation into the supply of prohibited articles into HMP Manchester and HMP Forest Bank two men and a woman have been jailed.

Anthony Windsor (15/04/1981) of HMP Lindholme, has had his jail sentence extended by four years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convey drugs into prison.

Dwayne Mulligan (19/01/1987) of HMP Altcourse, has had his jail sentence extended by 32 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convey drugs into prison.

Lucy Whitehurst (17/02/1995) of Royle Street, Denton, has been jailed for four years and two months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to convey drugs into prison.

Prison officers at HMP Manchester discovered bank details of individuals connected to Windsor in a number of cells in the prison and alerted police.

The investigation identified cash transfers were regularly being made into Whitehurst’s bank account.

Whitehurst, along with Mulligan, then used the money to buy drugs which they brought into the prisons when they visited Windsor.

On Tuesday 13 December 2016, Whitehurst and Mulligan were detained at HMP Manchester after passing a package of drugs to Windsor.

Prison officers observed Whitehurst stand up to hug Windsor while Mulligan retrieved a parcel from inside his clothing and placed it into the waistband of Windsor’s trousers.

The pair were arrested and the drugs were analysed and found to be cocaine, cannabis and Spice. Due to the fact that drugs in prison can be sold for up to five times the street value, it is thought the drugs were worth around £5,400.


Partnership working

A Continuous Professional Development event was held for all intelligence officers across the City of Manchester, presentations were given by our partners including Regional Organised Crime Unit (Titan), Manchester City Council and the Organised Crime Coordination Unit.

Challenger Manchester have delivered a presentation to the BME young community of 13-17 year olds in Ardwick on Trapped.

Strategic inputs on Trapped are being delivered at a professional conference across Manchester City Council. These will include NGOs and public sector staff.

DC Al Mulhall is working alongside the Education Lead for Manchester City Council, Natasha Walsh to deliver inputs to all the year groups at Abraham Moss School in Cheetham Hill and Manchester Academy in Boston. This is a pilot scheme and these schools have been chosen due to intelligence showing Cheetham Hill and Boston are the areas targeted in relation to the criminal exploitation of children (Trapped).

Xcalibre Task Force are submitting a bid to work with Manchester United FC to complete group work with students from East Manchester Academy.


Image: Chinese New Year @ Chinatown

Image: Manchester Town Hall



Oldham

Challenger Oldham are a multi agency team consisting of:

  • Greater Manchester Police
  • Oldham Phoenix - local child sexual exploitation team
  • Oldham Borough Council
  • First Choice Housing
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • LA Education

Good News

1st October 2020: 

13 arrested in county-lines warrants in Greater Manchester and North Yorkshire

Dawn raids at eight addresses in Greater Manchester and two in North Yorkshire saw nine men and four women arrested as part of a joint-operation into county lines and modern slavery offences, led by GMP.

Officers from GMP's Oldham district – supported by Force-wide resources – targeted properties in Moston, Oldham, Failsworth, Limeside, Chadderton, and Ashton-under-Lyne.

The action comes as part of a four month investigation into the transportation of class A drugs and the trafficking of vulnerable young people between the Oldham and York areas - codenamed Operation Homestead.

The 13 arrested – aged between 16 and 54 – are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and on suspicion of section 2 of the Modern Slavery Act – arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to being exploited.  They all remain in custody for questioning.

A small quantity of class A and B drugs were also recovered from the addresses to be examined and used in evidence.

Anyone with any information should call 101 quoting Operation Homestead.

Details can also be anonymously passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.







Image: Oldham Parliament Square



Rochdale

The partnership embodiment of Challenger Rochdale consists of a multi agency team based permanently at divisional headquarters.

The team consists of three embedded officers that are operational leads for the following areas:

  • Housing Enforcement
  • Trading Standards
  • Environmental Health
  • Licensing
  • Benefit Fraud
  • Department for Work and Pensions

There are local links with virtual partners from:

  • HO Immigration
  • HM Revenue and Customs
  • Social Housing Providers
  • GM Fire and Rescue Service

The team operates on an agile, flexible basis, often operating out of hours, addressing intelligence and complex issues fed in from all across the borough, ranging from Organised Crime Group disruption, fraud, child sexual exploitation, human trafficking and modern slavery.

The team also addresses information and intelligence submitted by other partner agencies.

The team hold a briefing whereby the issues at hand are addressed on a weekly basis. The team is both intelligence led and proactive, rooting out the most current issues that affect the borough


Image: Rochdale Town Centre





Salford

Project Gulf was launched in Salford in 2010 by Salford Community Safety Partnership in recognition of the fact that tackling serious and organised crime and gangs could only be done through partnership working.

Project Gulf aims to gather intelligence from a wide range of partners (see below) to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute gangs and criminals and steer young people away from involvement in crime and into more positive activities. It also liaises with organisations managing offenders.

A safeguarding team was added in August 2015 to look at safeguarding families, children and younger / vulnerable organised crime gang members.

Project Gulf works with Greater Manchester Programme Challenger and Greater Manchester Police's 'Arctic' team which operates across the city-region to arrest and investigate OCG members, their families, associates and other high risk individuals.

Project Gulf has the following strands designed to compliment the National Serious & Organised Crime Strategy:

  • Pursue: Prosecuting and disrupting serious and organised crime
  • Prevent: Preventing people from engaging in serious and organised crime
  • Prepare: Reducing the impact of serious and organised crime
  • Protect: Increasing protection against serious and organised crime

National Recognition

Project Gulf's approach and its many successes over the years have been recognised at both regional and national level, with delegates visiting from Tower Hamlets, London, Merseyside Police and Police Service Northern Ireland.


Meet the partners

  • Salford City Council 
  • Greater Manchester Police
  • Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
  • Salix Housing / City West Housing
  • Pendleton Together Homes
  • Greater Manchester National Probation Service and the Community Rehabilitation Company
  • Salford Foundation
  • NHS
  • Department for Works and Pensions
  • Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs
  • The National Illegal Money Lending Team
  • The Health and Safety Executive
Image: Salford Lads Club

Image: Salford Quays




Stockport

Challenger Stockport is responsible for implementing the Home Office Strategy for tackling organised crime within Stockport and is located within the Multi Agency Safeguarding and Support Hub (MASSH) at Fred Perry House providing direct access to our key partners within the prevent and protect stands of that strategy.

At Stockport we take a multi agency approach to all the strands of this strategy. We constantly strive to ensure that the right agencies work together, currently Challenger Stockport partnership is made up of or has access to the following agencies:

  • Greater Manchester Police
  • Stockport Local Authority
  • Adult Social Care
  • Children's Services
  • Youth Offending Service
  • National Probation Service
  • GM Community Rehabilitation Company
  • Stockport Education Safeguarding Lead (and representation from local schools)
  • Environmental Health
  • Trading Standards
  • Illegal Money Lending Team
  • HM Revenue and Customs
  • GM Fire and Rescue Service

We recognise the complex safeguarding issues surrounding organised crime and specifically the young people or vulnerable adults that live in that environment and see prevent and protect as equally important in the fight against organised crime.


Recent activity includes:

Operation Rosslare

This investigation targeted an Organised Crime Group responsible for supplying over £1,000,000 worth of heroin and crack cocaine across Stockport resulting in sentencing of over 70 years for those involved.

Operation Stymie

Targeted criminals who were responsible for over 50 burglary offences across Stockport and some parts of Derbyshire.

Operation Banchory

Targeted a team of organised criminals who were breaking into commercial premises across Stockport and stole over £600,000 worth of property. These offenders have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.

Image: Bramall Hall, Stockport

Image: Stockport Town Centre



Tameside

On the 14th of February 2018 officers executed a warrant at the home address of a prolific offender known for firearms, violence and drugs. During the search of the address approximately £10,000 worth of drugs were found including crack cocaine, heroin and cannabis along with £3,750, a deactivated AK47 assault rifle and car keys to stolen vehicles. The offender was charged with possession with intent to supply heroin, crack cocaine, cannabis and cannabis resin. He was sent to prison for 6 and a half years. A second offender has now been charged with the same offences.

Whilst attempts to arrest Stephen Pattison b08/03/76 were ongoing, an address was searched where a quantity of cocaine and ecstasy was recovered. A further search was conducted of a vehicle where a large amount of cocaine was found in the boot. Pattison was imprisoned for 19 years. 



Image: Rainbow over Ashton

Image: Ashton Market Hall




Trafford

Challenger Trafford are currently running Operation Medusa, this has been created to tackle and target organised crime in the Partington area by adopting a multi agency approach.

Fortnightly meetings are held with partner agencies including:

  • Trafford Borough Council
  • National Probation Service
  • Youth Offending Team
  • LA Education

The aim of the project and the work being conducted is to disrupt the organised criminal activity in that area, specifically targeting those that are utilising vulnerable children to facilitate their criminal activities.




Recently a day of action has taken place, during which three search warrants were conducted and two people were arrested.

These arrests were in connection with a number of crimes that had occurred between rival factions in Partington which had resulted in a 'Threats to Life' notice being issued for one of the crime group members.

A vulnerable child who has been criminally exploited has been safeguarded by Children's Services and has been relocated outside the Trafford area to keep them safe from harm.

Image: Dunham Massey, Trafford


Wigan

The borough's organised crime group strategy and action plan focuses on how partner agencies can usefully contribute to the management of the existing identified OCGs within the borough from a disruption and enforcement perspective.

Challenger Wigan work with partners across Wigan Borough Council including:

  • Adult and Children's Social Care
  • HM Prison and Probation Service
  • Department for Work and Pensions
  • GM Fire and Rescue Service

We target those groups who commit crime and take advantage of vulnerable people across the borough.

The borough's organised crime group strategy and action plan focuses on how partner agencies can usefully contribute to the management of the existing identified OCGs within the borough from a disruption and enforcement perspective.

Case study - tackling organised crime, protecting vulnerable people

An organised crime group (OCG) were operating on an estate in West Wigan importing and supplying controlled drugs on a large scale. Upon investigation GMP found the drugs imported into the country were arriving at the addresses of several associates, rather than to the head of the OCG or his business. Several people used in this manner were in chronic debt, addicted to drugs/alcohol or had serious domestic issues. These people were vulnerable by nature and the rewards offered to them by the OCG were extremely appealing. By dismantling the OCG, Challenger Wigan put the 'business' out of operation and stopped further vulnerable people in the area also being exploited in the same manner. Several children were also raised to the attention of social services. In this example drugs investigation was used as a tactic, but safeguarding was the key. Partnership working meant those people being exploited could be offered the appropriate assistance and support. 

Case example - from debt to organised crime

Challenger Wigan arrested a male who had been sending vast amounts of money to drug cartels in South America on behalf of a local OCG. The male was previously unknown to the police, but appeared to have become involved in crime after getting into vast amounts of debt that he could not repay. The male's family had been threatened with eviction and he had recently gambled their rent. While in this overwhelming situation the male was contacted by a local drugs OCG offering him financial help and material reward. Desperate for help, the male quickly became an essential part of the drugs network. Working with partners, plans were put in place to assist the man and his family escape the cycle of crime.

Other News

Since 01/04/2018 Wigan has safeguarded and supported 14 people under Threats to Life.

An OCG member was given a Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) to repay £300,000 with an immediate payment of £55,000. This was later updated to be £62,334.


Image: Wigan Mine Shaft



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