Drug dealer’s car is seized in tram stop crime purge
AN Audi owned by a known drug dealer was seized during a purge on crime and anti-social behaviour on trams and buses.
Fifty-six people were arrested and 494 fines were issued.
The operation was launched after an increasing number of incidents on key Metrolink lines.
Oldham GMP posted on its Facebook page about the work being done at Freehold station: “In just three hours a total of 57 fines were issued by Metrolink staff for nonpayment of fare, 1 male was arrested for being wanted for four different offences, two stop searches were conducted (one after a short foot pursuit) and an Audi belonging to a known drug dealer was seized by #PCSOs on patrol around the station. All in all a good afternoon’s work.”
Undercover officers and uniformed patrols took part in the operation which also saw court warrants issued to retrieve unpaid fines.
Eleven missing people were located and arrests made for possession of drugs, shoplifting and recall to prison.
There were also seven arrests for non-payment of outstanding fines worth a combined total of £9,550.
A total of 494 fines were issued for non-payment of tickets and 27 people were surrendered to the courts for outstanding fines worth £31,000.
Chief Inspector Tariq Butt, of GMP said: “We want the results from this operation to send a message to offenders and would-be criminals that we are serious about keeping our travel network safe.
“We are keen to see that justice is served against those offenders causing misery towards commuters, communities and the local area. Anyone caught or responsible for a crime will be dealt with for their criminality.
“The work of our team will not be limited to these two weeks. In fact they will continue to support travel safe officers throughout the year to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.”
Police worked with TravelSafe officers (TSOs) and Police Community Support Officers.
John Fryer, Transport for Greater Manchester’s safer travel manager, said: “Public transport is a safe way to travel and as the success of this operation shows the TSP is working together helping to reinforce and maintain that.”
Deputy mayor for policing and crime Beverley Hughes said: “The work done during Travel Safe Operation, and the results we have seen, send out two clear messages, one that anybody using Greater Manchester’s transport network should feel safe and secure and two, that anti-social behaviour will never be tolerated.
“The work done so far lays solid foundations for what will be an extremely busy festive period on public transport.
Aline Frantzen, managing director at KeolisAmey Metrolink, said: “We’ve had positive feedback from people travelling on trams who were pleased to see such a determined effort to improve their journey, safety and security. We look forward to doing more work like this to make Metrolink better for Greater Manchester.”