Police made 86 arrests as part of a massive operation in Stockport on Thursday 12 February.

Officers were deployed to the town centre in force as part of 'Operation AVRO', carrying out raids, traffic enforcement, patrols, and community engagement.

Operation AVRO is run regularly by Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and involves a surge of officers and resources deployed to a different area of Greater Manchester every month.

GMP's Stockport District Commander, Chief Superintendent Natalie Dalby, said the operation reflected 'the full breadth of policing'.

The day started with a string of early morning raids, with warrants issued in Heaton Mersey, Heaton Norris, Mottram Fold and Woodley in relation to burglary, driving offences and drugs.

One man was arrested on suspicion of three counts of burglary, and a machete was seized at an address on Thornley Lane South.

Meanwhile, two women were arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs, with drugs also being seized at an address on Mottram Town om Mottram Fold.

Police carried out raids across Stockport early in the morning of Thursday 12 February (Image - GMP)

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Throughout the day, there were also traffic patrols along high-risk routes throughout Stockport including High Lane in Marple and Marple Road in Offerton.

Officers also carried out test purchases of knives at eight premises in Reddish and Lancashire Hill, to check whether the stores would sell to one of their underage police cadets. One of the businesses did sell a knife to one of GMP's Police Cadets.

Further still, there was a live facial recognition camera van deployed to Mersey Square to help catch persons of interest.

The camera scans faces and compares them against a watchlist - it can be used to help find wanted criminals and occasionally missing persons.

On patrol in the town centre, officers also arrested a wanted man on suspicion of multiple thefts from the Merseyway Shopping Centre.

Chief Superintendent Natalie Dalby said: "Operation AVRO is about showing the people of Stockport that we are here, we are listening, and we are taking action.

"(Thursday's) activity reflects the full breadth of policing – from early‑morning warrants targeting those who cause the most harm, to proactive roads policing, neighbourhood engagement, and safeguarding work with young people.

"I'm incredibly proud of the officers, staff and volunteers who were involved throughout the day. Their commitment and professionalism ensured we could make meaningful interventions across the district, whether that was arresting suspects, disrupting criminality, or speaking directly with residents and businesses about the issues that matter the most to them.

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"This was my first AVRO as District Commander, and it demonstrated just how dedicated our officers are to ensure Stockport remains a safe place for those who work and live in the area.

"We will continue to build on this momentum in the weeks and months ahead, working closely with our partners and communities to protect the vulnerable and deter offenders."

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