Operation Venture officers across Wigan and Rochdale have been working to tackle serious violence, taking weapons off the streets and protecting young people from harm through targeted activity.

Since their formation in December 2022, Operation Venture have made a significant dent in criminality across the force area – making hundreds of arrests, recovering over 300 weapons and removing them from our streets, seizing over 450 vehicles and £800,000 in cash.

Wigan

Intensification activity in Wigan saw positive results across several hotspot areas in Platt Bridge, Atherton and Tyldesley. Officers made 19 arrests linked to robbery, drug supply and weapon‑related offences, recovered Class A drugs, cash and mobile phones used in criminality, and seized several illegal weapons including machetes.

Key incidents include the arrest of a man for possession with intent to supply after officers uncovered around 86 wraps of suspected heroin and cocaine, and the recovery of a stolen electric bike following a robbery. Officers also engaged in a foot chase in Tyldesley which led to the arrest of a male and seizure of a knife.

Rochdale

Officers on targeted patrols in Rochdale seized 14 vehicles, took several weapons off the streets and made 14 arrests across areas including Middleton, Kirkholt and Heywood.

Following community intelligence, officers also focused on off-road bikes especially sur-ron bikes which can cause concern after reports of them being driven dangerously around the streets.

Sergeant Mohammed Waqas of GMP’s Operation Venture team said: “Operation Venture is making a strong impact across Greater Manchester to reassure our communities and show our commitment to tackling knife crime and wider associated criminality.

“Across Rochdale and Wigan during our intensification deployments, we have seized and destroyed over £6,000 worth of drugs, recovered £2,000 in cash, removed multiples weapons including knives, machetes, a sword and BB guns from the streets, seized 35 vehicles and made 33 arrests for a variety of offences.

“These results show our commitment to tackling organised crime and anti-social behaviour to keep communities safe.”

Operation Venture remains focused on reducing serious violence and knife crime, supporting young people at risk, and working closely with communities to keep people safe across Greater Manchester.