Recent statistics from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have shown that Knife crime is down by 44% in Salford.
A partnership between GMP and Operation Venture has made a significant dent in criminality across Greater Manchester since their formation in December 2022. The team are moving across different hotspot and strengthening resources to tackle violent crime and the root causes of it head on.
Their work feeds into the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, a multi-agency team that seeks to prevent violence by addressing the underlying causes.
The police have now been given £1.8 million as part of the Home Office Knife Crime Concentration Fund. The fund will help increase police patrols and provide more CCTV in hotspot areas.
The areas which fall across Greater Manchester will see focused activity with neighbourhood patrols and local partners working together with the dedicated knife crime team, Operation Venture.
The generous fund will go towards tackling knife-enabled robberies as well as strengthening GMP’s newly formed Robbery Tasking Team.
Detective superintendent, Rich Thompson, leader of GMP’s response to knife crime and serious violence, said: “Officers and staff across the organisation have worked extremely hard to tackle to the root causes of knife crime head-on and we’ve seen that reflected in recent statistics – knife-enabled serious violent crime is down 35% with standout decreases being Tameside (down 51%), Bury (down 47%), Stockport (down 45%) and Salford (down 44%).
“We want to continue this impact to make it sustainable and last well beyond the scope of the funding.
“We also encourage the public and local businesses to continue supporting this work by sharing information, reporting concerns and helping us create safer communities for everyone.”
Kate Green, Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester for Safer and Stronger Communities, said: “The hard work of Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit, Greater Manchester Police, and our partners across the city-region, including the community and voluntary sector, has already contributed to reductions in knife crime and serious violence, but there is still more to be done. This funding will enable additional action to be taken to keep our communities safe.”
