Wigan vulnerability and cuckooing Avro sees 52 arrests, £35,000 in cash and drugs seized
Operation Avro, a dedicated day of action by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and partner agencies, targeted vulnerability and cuckooing in Wigan & Leigh, resulting in 52 arrests, £35,000 in cash seized, 1.5 kilos of cannabis, suspected controlled substances, illicit cigarettes, vapes, and 12 vehicles seized. The operation included warrants, traffic stops, domestic abuse checks, and community engagement activities.
Police seized £35,000 in cash, 1.5 kilos of cannabis and arrested 52 people during a major day of action across Wigan and Leigh on Thursday.
Operation Avro, Greater Manchester Police’s monthly targeted operation, focused on vulnerability and cuckooing - where criminals take over vulnerable people’s homes to deal drugs and commit other crimes.
The dawn raids began at 6am with warrants executed in Ashton-in-Makerfield, Scholes, Atherton, Whelley and Astley. Officers recovered three large bags of suspected controlled substances, a telescopic baton, and hundreds of illicit cigarettes and vapes alongside the cannabis and cash.
Domestic Abuse Protection Order teams conducted 41 checks on vulnerable victims, resulting in two arrests for breaches. A specialist cuckooing car operation visited 11 suspected locations where criminals exploit vulnerable residents.
Traffic officers stopped vehicles on Manchester Road following community concerns, issuing 67 traffic offence reports and seizing 12 vehicles for offences including driving without seatbelts, vehicle defects, mobile phone use and obscured licence plates.
Chief Superintendent Danny O’Neil said: “Officers from our Neighbourhood Policing teams, Neighbourhood Crime teams, Challenger, County Lines, Spec Ops and Tactical Aid Unit all collaborated with our partner agencies to tackle issues in our communities including county lines, domestic abuse offences, anti-social behaviour, traffic offences, retail crime and more.”
Police horses Cicero, Little Dorrit, Bumble and Marvel patrolled Leigh town centre alongside neighbourhood officers, council licensing teams, environmental health and Trading Standards officers. Schools received talks on county lines awareness while hotels and taxi companies participated in Operation Makesafe training on child exploitation.
Of the 52 arrests, 24 people have been charged. The operation included DVLA and Motor Insurance Bureau checks on insurance and taxi licensing.
Source: Read original article