Operation Prenton
Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester joins Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood and Superintendent Alex Millet at the operation briefing.
Twelve people have today, Thursday 10 January 2013, been arrested by officers from Project Gulf, Salford’s multi agency task force set up to target organised crime groups.
In total 14 warrants were executed at addresses across Salford.
The arrests were made on suspicion of a variety of offences including violent disorder, drugs offences and money laundering.
They remain in police custody for questioning.
Items recovered as part of the warrants include cash, drugs, balaclavas, body armour and a crossbow. Pictures which could illustrate an affiliation to organised crime groups have also been seized.
The warrants follow an investigation into an incident of violent disorder at the Blue Bell pub on Monton Green on 9 December 2012, during which a group of men entered and assaulted a number of people inside.
Officers attended the premises following contact with the police but no complaints were made. They recovered CCTV from the premises and have been investigating the matter since.
As part of a joint agency approach three housing inspections, two visits from local authority social workers and eight benefit fraud inspections were also carried out.
Superintendent Wayne Miller, said: “Today’s action reflects the determined and pro active approach we are taking to identify and disrupt organised crime groups operating in Salford.
“We were not called directly to the incident but as soon as we became aware we took and continue to take steps to identify those involved.
“We recovered some CCTV that quite clearly shows a determined and coordinated effort on the part of a significantly large number of offenders to deliberately target some of those inside the pub.
“While we cannot speculate on the motive for this, it is clear to me that this was not a random incident but an attempt by a gang of men to commit serious violence and to intimidate and threaten our communities. “
Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester said: ”We will not tolerate such behaviour and are standing shoulder to shoulder with partner agencies to pick at these crime groups member by member to disrupt their criminality by whatever means necessary.
"Today's operation was a fantastic example of partnership working with the police, council and local community all joining forces to make a stand against organised crime. Project Gulf shows how working together can make a real difference to Greater Manchester people. It also acts as a warning to those involved in organised crime that it simply will not be tolerated."
ABOUT PROJECT GULF:
Project Gulf was set up in 2010 to tackle serious organised crime. The multi-agency team investigates every area of a suspected criminal's life - including their business interests, benefits, housing and associates.
The Gulf team includes representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Salford City Council, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, UK Border Agency, Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, DVLA, Department of Work and Pensions, Security Industry Association, Housing, HM Revenue & Customs and children’s services.
Serious organised crime causes devastating harm to local communities and the Project Gulf team is determined to taking these criminals off the streets, disrupting their lifestyles and making the streets of Salford a safer place to live.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement
Operation Prenton
Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester joins Assistant Chief Constable Steve Heywood and Superintendent Alex Millet at the operation briefing.
Twelve people have today, Thursday 10 January 2013, been arrested by officers from Project Gulf, Salford’s multi agency task force set up to target organised crime groups.
In total 14 warrants were executed at addresses across Salford.
The arrests were made on suspicion of a variety of offences including violent disorder, drugs offences and money laundering.
They remain in police custody for questioning.
Items recovered as part of the warrants include cash, drugs, balaclavas, body armour and a crossbow. Pictures which could illustrate an affiliation to organised crime groups have also been seized.
The warrants follow an investigation into an incident of violent disorder at the Blue Bell pub on Monton Green on 9 December 2012, during which a group of men entered and assaulted a number of people inside.
Officers attended the premises following contact with the police but no complaints were made. They recovered CCTV from the premises and have been investigating the matter since.
As part of a joint agency approach three housing inspections, two visits from local authority social workers and eight benefit fraud inspections were also carried out.
Superintendent Wayne Miller, said: “Today’s action reflects the determined and pro active approach we are taking to identify and disrupt organised crime groups operating in Salford.
“We were not called directly to the incident but as soon as we became aware we took and continue to take steps to identify those involved.
“We recovered some CCTV that quite clearly shows a determined and coordinated effort on the part of a significantly large number of offenders to deliberately target some of those inside the pub.
“While we cannot speculate on the motive for this, it is clear to me that this was not a random incident but an attempt by a gang of men to commit serious violence and to intimidate and threaten our communities. “
Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester said: ”We will not tolerate such behaviour and are standing shoulder to shoulder with partner agencies to pick at these crime groups member by member to disrupt their criminality by whatever means necessary.
"Today's operation was a fantastic example of partnership working with the police, council and local community all joining forces to make a stand against organised crime. Project Gulf shows how working together can make a real difference to Greater Manchester people. It also acts as a warning to those involved in organised crime that it simply will not be tolerated."
ABOUT PROJECT GULF:
Project Gulf was set up in 2010 to tackle serious organised crime. The multi-agency team investigates every area of a suspected criminal's life - including their business interests, benefits, housing and associates.
The Gulf team includes representatives from Greater Manchester Police, Salford City Council, the Serious Organised Crime Agency, UK Border Agency, Environment Agency, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, DVLA, Department of Work and Pensions, Security Industry Association, Housing, HM Revenue & Customs and children’s services.
Serious organised crime causes devastating harm to local communities and the Project Gulf team is determined to taking these criminals off the streets, disrupting their lifestyles and making the streets of Salford a safer place to live.
To find out more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
You should call 101, the new national non-emergency number, to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Always call 999 in an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, violence is being used or threatened or where there is danger to life.
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement