Operation Venture: Two years in and continuing to make a sizeable impact daily around knife crime
Operation Venture, a dedicated team within Greater Manchester Police, has made significant progress in tackling knife crime and violence over the past two years. The team has conducted numerous arrests, weapon seizures, and stop searches, while also engaging with communities and partnering with the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). Their efforts have led to a reduction in serious violence and knife-related injuries among young people. The team employs both covert and high-visibility tactics, focusing on hotspot areas and collaborating with local agencies for prevention and education.
Operation Venture Seizes 211 Weapons and Makes 761 Arrests in Two-Year Crackdown on Greater Manchester Violence
A specialized police team formed in December 2022 has seized 211 weapons and made 761 arrests across Greater Manchester in their mission to tackle violent crime, particularly involving young people and knife violence.
The 13-member Operation Venture unit, comprising one inspector, two sergeants and 10 officers, combines covert and high-visibility tactics to catch offenders and reduce serious street violence. Over the past two years, they have conducted 256 weapon sweeps, 2,304 stop searches with a 35% positive rate, and seized approximately £250,000 in cash.
Recent operations demonstrate the team’s targeted approach. In November 2024, they worked with undercover cadets in North Manchester to test whether retailers would sell knives to minors. The same month in Oldham, 18 arrests resulted from hotspot patrols that also yielded two knives, substantial quantities of class A and B drugs, nearly £1,000 cash, and nine vehicle seizures.
December saw officers deploy across Manchester City Centre, Bolton, Bury and South Manchester to combat seasonal increases in robbery and knife-enabled robbery. The operation resulted in 23 arrests, 40 stop searches, and seven knife seizures. During one incident, officers provided life-saving first aid to a victim suffering multiple knife wounds before arresting a suspect for attempted murder.
Superintendent Caroline Hemingway emphasized that enforcement alone cannot solve knife crime: “We know knife crime causes significant trauma and concern when mentioned or seen in the news, and that is why our dedicated team Operation Venture are working daily to provide that visible presence to proactively target those who still insist on carrying a knife.”
Deputy Mayor Kate Green praised the holistic approach: “The results that we continue to see from Operation Venture are testament to the relentless focus that partners within the VRU have on tackling and reducing violent crime in Greater Manchester.”
The unit works alongside the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, a multi-agency partnership addressing root causes of violence through community engagement and prevention initiatives.
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