Dozens arrested and weapons seized in police crackdown

Officers from Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Venture team carried out intensified activity across parts of Wigan borough, including Atherton and Tyldesley, which border Bolton.

The operation resulted in 33 arrests, the seizure of multiple weapons and drugs worth thousands of pounds being taken out of circulation.

During the activity, officers recovered knives, machetes, a sword and BB guns, as well as more than £6,000 worth of drugs and £2,000 in cash.

A total of 35 vehicles were also seized.

In Atherton and Tyldesley, officers made several arrests linked to robbery, drug supply and weapons offences.

One key incident saw a man arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply after police uncovered around 86 wraps of suspected heroin and cocaine.

In Tyldesley, officers also carried out a foot chase, which ended with a man being detained and a knife recovered.

Police said the activity focused on known hotspot areas, aiming to tackle serious violence and protect young people from harm.

Sergeant Mohammed Waqas, of GMP’s Operation Venture team, said the results showed the force’s commitment to tackling crime.

He said: “Across Rochdale and Wigan during our intensification deployments, we have seized and destroyed over £6,000 worth of drugs, recovered £2,000 in cash, and removed multiple weapons from the streets.

“These results show our commitment to tackling organised crime and anti-social behaviour to keep communities safe.”

Operation Venture, launched in December 2022, has made hundreds of arrests across Greater Manchester and removed more than 300 weapons from the streets.

Police say the initiative will continue to target serious violence and knife crime, with ongoing patrols and enforcement activity planned in areas bordering Bolton and beyond.