Friday, December 3 saw Operation Vortex carried out by GMP Oldham as they looked to crack down on many of the issues facing the borough.

The day began with early morning raids at around 6AM. Two addresses on Ashley St, in the Westwood neighbourhood, were raided in search of Class A and B drugs.

The raids were led by GMP Oldham's new chief superintendent Chris Bowen, who at the scene said: "Operation Vortex is about taking the fight back to the criminals.

"It's to show the people of Oldham we mean business."

Three people were eventually arrested as a result of the first raid, after quantities of cannabis were found. One man was arrested for possession of a Class B drug, while two other men were arrested for being concerned in the supply of a Class B drug.

This raid was followed by another in the Werneth area, which saw one man arrested on suspicion of possessing a Class B drug with intent to supply. Large quantities of cannabis were found at the address along with a machete.

These two raids were carried out due to community intelligence that had been passed to police.

Operations such as Vortex aim to show GMP Oldham's commitment to the people of the borough by addressing a wide range of issues that Oldhamers are faced with on a daily basis.

Chief superintendent Bowen said: "Everything we've done today has been based on community intelligence.

"Our communities are telling us what they want, you say it, we deliver."

The borough's new chief superintendent is serious about clamping down on the high levels of crime that have created a sense of uneasiness amongst many Oldhamers.

He said: "There's no safe place and no hiding place for a criminal in Oldham.

"If you commit crime in Oldham, we will find you, we will catch you and we will put you through the criminal process."

Chief superintendent Bowen has had a long career that has included working in counter terrorism and he was even the tactical advisor for the policing operation of the Royal wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Oldham has suffered from a rise in different kinds of crime that have left communities feeling unsafe and disconnected from their police force. Issues like anti-social behaviour are on the rise, littering and fly-tipping seem to persist and driving and vehicle offences are high.

All in all, Operation Vortex saw 17 people arrested on Friday for a wide range of offences. Five weapons were seized, as were 16 vehicles for people driving without insurance and/or license.

Significant quantities of cannabis were recovered, along with some quantities of cocaine, heroin and crack cocaine.

This operation was a statement from the police on cracking down on all sorts of crime in the borough.

Chief superintendent concluded his remarks by issuing a message to the people of Oldham.

He said: ""Please just tell us what you want us to do and we'll do our best to do it."

 

One of the three arrests made from addresses on Ashley Street.

One of the three arrests made from addresses on Ashley Street.

One address was entered by sawing down one side of the door.

One address was entered by sawing down one side of the door.

Chief superintendent Chris Bowen.

Chief superintendent Chris Bowen.