Greater Manchester Police has expanded its Operation Vulcan model to Derker, Oldham, deploying specialist teams to tackle the crime and anti-social behaviour that residents say blight their daily lives.

The new Vulcan Futures initiative, commissioned by Chief Constable Stephen Watson, transfers the tactics that drove down offending in Cheetham Hill and Piccadilly Gardens to one of Oldham’s most pressured neighbourhoods. Officers have already arrested 21 people for offences ranging from drug and weapon possession to money laundering and firearms crimes, seized 12 uninsured or criminally-used vehicles, and executed four warrants that uncovered a cannabis farm and a commercial premises stocked with class A drugs.

Detective Superintendent Jen Kelly, who commands the operation, said the approach “relentlessly pursues the most harmful offenders” while steering vulnerable young people away from crime through referrals to support agencies. “This focused effort will see us relentlessly pursue the most harmful offenders, whilst identifying young people on the periphery of falling into a life of crime and referring them to other agencies to offer them ways out and support,” she said. “Building community trust and confidence is an important part of Operation Vulcan’s success in bringing offenders to justice, and we look forward to working with Oldham Council and our partners to engage with the community and demonstrate our commitment to this initiative.”

Oldham Council Leader Arooj Shah backed the move, stating: “Nobody wants anti-social behaviour and crime in their community.” The council is pooling resources with GMP and other partners to target drug crime, vehicle offences, child exploitation, cuckooing and violent crime through sustained patrols and intelligence-led disruption.

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