180 weapons seized during regional knife crime operation

THE Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester has thanked those involved in seizing weapons and stopping them reaching our streets.

Police across the North West have seized a total of 180 knives, swords and other prohibited weapons and carried out a week of targeted activity to tackle knife crime.

From December 2-5, 2019, the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU) coordinated a week-long crackdown on knife crime with police officers from Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and North Wales.

During the week, over 100 cease and desist letters were issued across the North West. These notices aim to educate potential buyers of illegal knives and discourage further offending.

In Greater Manchester 74 weapons were seized and 35 cease and desist letters issued.

This follows a month of activity where specialist officers intercepted parcels containing knives and weapons, which are illegal in the UK.

Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Bev Hughes said: “The success of this operation is down to strong collaboration and a shared dedication to tackling serious violent crime. I want to thank the police, Royal Mail, Border Force and other agencies involved for working together to stop these weapons from reaching our streets.

“The two-pronged approach of enforcement and education highlights the real difference we can make, working with our communities to raise awareness of the consequences of knife crime. Whether you are carrying or purchasing illegal weapons – you are risking a life. 

“This week of action echoes our approach in Greater Manchester. Through our Violence Reduction Unit, the police, local authorities, youth services, health, education and schools, as well as other criminal justice partners, are working together to embed a community-led approach to prevention and enforcement.” 

Officers from the ROCU’s Regional Disruption Team (DT), which specialise in disrupting organised crime networks, worked with the six North West Police Forces alongside Border Force, Royal Mail and other partner agencies to help reduce the number of illegal weapons being imported into the North West from overseas.

Detective Superintendent Ryan Davies from the North West ROCU said: “Thanks to this intelligence-led, co-ordinated operation a significant number of knives and weapons have been seized and won’t make it to the streets of our region, where they can cause serious harm.
 
“This operation is a powerful example of how collaborative working is making a difference in the fight against serious and organised crime in the North West.”

“Be warned, anyone who is thinking about buying knives or weapons either online or by any other means from overseas. You are committing an offence by bringing them into the country.  You face the full force of the law if you do so.”  

Article Published: 06/12/2019 10:34 AM