GMP Operation Acquire homes in on Oldham crime hot spots

Date published: 14 June 2023


Police officers across Oldham have been taking part in Operation Acquire’s neighbourhood day of action today (Wednesday).

Neighbourhood teams conducted high visibility patrolling in hot spot areas this morning.

Officers placed vehicle crime prevention leaflets onto windscreens, along with handing them to members of the public.

Operation Acquire is GMP’s force wide initiative that sees four days of action carried out across the months of June and July, with extra resources deployed to target and arrest criminals suspected of committing neighbourhood offences.

Neighbourhood Crime consists of vehicle crime, domestic burglary, theft from a person (including pickpocketing) and robbery.

These crimes are some of the most impactive to those who live in our communities.

Last Wednesday (June 7), police officers made a total of 18 arrests specific to neighbourhood crime offences alongside conducting eight warrants.

Officers also carried out 45 high-visibility patrols in neighbourhood areas across the force.

Superintendent Ian Jones, who leads GMP’s fight against vehicle crime and neighbourhood offences, said: “First and foremost, I would like to highlight that our fight against this type of crime and our efforts to prevent and reduce it does not stop here, we have another day of action for Op Acquire happening today with officers, again, conducting increased activity in a neighbourhood near you.

“Vehicle crimes, like all neighbourhood offences, are intrusive, and the offenders show a complete disregard for their community and those that live in our neighbourhoods, taking items which don’t belong to them.

"As a force, we are committed to delivering an outstanding service to our communities and we understand that they, rightly, expect that to include intensified efforts to keep both them and their property safe whilst caring for those who have unfortunately been targeted by criminals.

“We will absolutely continue to take action against those we believe are responsible for neighbourhood crime and intelligence from members of the public is vital and I would like to thank the public for their support so far with Operation Acquire, and I ask that you continue to report to us or Crimestoppers and follow our crime prevention advice on gmp.police.uk to keep yourself, your property and your vehicle safe from crime.

“I would urge members of the public to promote and join a Neighbourhood watch scheme in your area by visiting www.ourwatch.org.uk to sign up.

"If you have any intelligence, however small you think that is, please contact us or inform Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111."

More information on how to avoid becoming a victim of vehicle theft is available here


Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.