Police Operation AVRO raids in full flow across Oldham - 28 arrests so far

Date published: 23 February 2023

UPDATED (3pm): Greater Manchester Police officers are currently enforcing multiple raids throughout Oldham in a bid to crack down on crime and community issues.

A new force-wide initiative - codenamed Operation AVRO - will run each month in a different district.

As today’s police enforcement action continues across Oldham today, Chief Supt Chris Bowen has revealed in his latest update that 28 people have been arrested.

CS Bowen said: “So far we’ve executed nearly 20 warrants, and we’ve arrested 28 people.

“There will be criminals all over Oldham wondering whether we’re coming for them next.

“We also started our engagement events.

“I’ve just attended one at the library in Limeside, and I’m heading over to the College next.

“It’s a really great day here in Oldham on our mission to make this town the safest place to live, work and visit in Greater Manchester.

“If you see me, say ‘hello’ and I’ll give you some more details.”

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UPDATED: Today’s police enforcement action throughout Oldham now appears to be in full flow.

A number of arrests have been reported in Chadderton by GMP at 10am today.

An hour later, a knife and a quantity of prescription drugs (pictured above) were seized from one raid.

Then, at 11.15am, GMP reported that traffic officers had been carrying out a traffic operation in Failsworth.

At least one person was pictured being detained and escorted into a van.

The Operation AVRO crackdown is continuing.

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UPDATED: Following the earlier action, GMP now are now reporting that a significant quantity of cash was recovered in one raid, as warrants are continuing across the Oldham area.

At 9.50am GMP reported that a huge cannabis farm had been discovered at another address in Chadderton.

Oldham Deputy Chief Constable Wasim Chaudhry said: “This is a collective operation across Greater Manchester Police where all resources are coming to support staff in Oldham.

“It’s very much a team GMP operation.”

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Already this morning (Thursday), a section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act warrant has been carried out in Chadderton and has resulted in one arrest being being made and a cannabis farm being found.

There was also a raid in Royton at 5.30am this morning.

This morning's action is being led by Oldham's Chief Supt Chris Bowen.

He said: "Operation AVRO is back.

"Doors will be swinging from their hinges and people will be on their way into custody as Greater Manchester Police, and its partners, take the fight back to the criminals of Oldham.

"We'll tackle domestic abuse, burglary, robbery, and modern day slavery, to name a few."

Mr Bowen added: "If you see my officers out in Oldham today, say 'hello' and tell them what you think.

"Give them some information - you never know, that might lead to the next warrant being executed."

More updates on Oldham's day of action will be provided later.

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