GUNS AND MAYHEM IN THE POST. . .
SEIZED, HUGE HAUL OF WEAPONS SENT IN THE MAIL TO ADDRESSES IN GREATER MANCHESTER
STUN guns, crossbows, axes, and blades were among 98 illegal weapons seized in a crack-down on knife crime in south Manchester.
The haul was recovered during a seven-week operation which also saw nine arrests.
Between May 11 and June 30, 16 warrants were executed at residential addresses across south Manchester, as part of an intelligence-led operation.
Working with the Royal Mail and Border Force, GMP intercepted weapons purchased online from abroad.
City of Manchester division officers seized 35 knives, 10 batons, six stun guns, five crossbows, four axes, two swords, gas powered air weapons and other weapons. Quantities of Class A drugs – including cocaine and heroin – as well as cannabis and cash – were also recovered.
Of the nine people arrested eight received police cautions.
Those that were cautioned were not in possession of their illegal weapons which they had ordered as they had already been intercepted through Operation Concept.
The operation aims to tackle the importation of illegal blades by intercepting them before they reach the streets of Greater Manchester.
Operation Concept was a key component of the targeted activity and forms part of the overall response to tackling serious violent crime under Operation Sycamore and the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit.
Since the launch of Operation Concept in November 2019, thousands of cheap knives bought online from China and heading for the north west, including Greater Manchester, have been intercepted.
The M.E.N. reported in November how flick knives for £5; hunting blades for £15; and Samurai swords for £20 were just some of the cheap but deadly Chinese weapons destined for our streets.
They’re being sold to teenagers and criminals online for pocket money prices – and sent out in the post.
A special GMP operation was launched to intercept weapons before they were delivered and thousands of cheap knives bought online from China have been seized.
Supt Richard Timson, from GMP’s City of Manchester District, said: “The operation has been an immense success and a concerted effort by all those involved in detecting and removing offensive weapons and imitation firearms off the streets of south Manchester.
“As a policing district we will continue the proactive and targeted work to tackle knife and violent crime, as well continue our efforts working with our partners and communities to prevent individuals from possessing and using such dangerous weapons.
“When planning the warrants we always ask the question why someone wants to buy a knife or other illegal weapon, before deciding on the appropriate action to take. Often, when we visit people at their homes, we are told that they didn’t know it was a criminal offence simply because it can be easy to obtain them.
“Thanks to this intelligence-led, coordinated operation, none of weapons seized will ever be seen on the streets of south Manchester.
“If these items had been taken out on to the streets they could have caused serious harm.
“As part of the activity, we sought to educate buyers of illegal weapons by explaining that when purchasing these prohibited items, you are committing an offence and could face prosecution.”