Crime-busting in Derker proves a huge success

Operation Vulcan has continued to make a crime-busting difference in Derker since its inception in March.

In the last few months, officers have made multiple arrests, seizures and stop-searches have taken place as the Vulcan team continues to dismantle criminality in the area. 

This month saw the arrests of 27 people for a variety of offences, including drug dealing, possession of weapons, drink-driving, theft offences and court breaches.  

In addition to this – many of these were followed by charges – 18 people were dealt with by means of out-of-court disposals. 

Of the 100 stop-searches conducted in May 29 were positive and saw drugs, weapons, and prohibited items seized and processed. 

The drug seizures from the work included 102 wraps of crack and heroin, 33 snap bags of cannabis and multiple tubs of the same drug.  

More than £4,000 in suspected illicit criminal cash was seized in addition to eight electric/off-road bikes. 

The ongoing work, in conjunction with multiple partners within the Oldham community, has continued to use tried-and-tested methods which have seen successes in both Cheetham Hill and Piccadilly Gardens. 

Partnership work has been the key part of the strategy of Vulcan and to this end, 13 joint days of action took place throughout May, including with Trading Standards, Housing, and other local authorities.  

Part of this work saw stores investigated for illegal products and six childcare plans were put in place. 

Inspector Dan Cullum, from GMP’s Vulcan team, said: “Operation Vulcan has been deployed to Derker for three months now. During this period, we have made 83 arrests and conducted 248 stop searches, resulting in 96 drug seizures and the removal of £25,000 in criminal cash from the streets. 

“Our achievements are largely attributed to effective collaboration and leveraging the skills, expertise, and authority of key partners. Since our deployment in Derker, we have established strong working relationships with partners such as First Choice Homes to ensure a collaborative approach. 

“Any individual found committing crimes or engaging in anti-social behaviour in Derker or nearby areas affecting its residents will face joint follow-up actions from partners like First Choice Homes or an officer from the Oldham Community Safety Partnership. 

“They will receive tenancy warnings and in some cases a possession order will be pursued to remove them from the area, making it safer for law-abiding residents. This is one of the tactics employed by Operation Vulcan as part of our clear phase of the clear, hold, build methodology. 

“First Choice Homes has been one of our key proactive partners and, like Vulcan, has responded robustly to tenants who engage in criminal or anti-social behaviour.

"These tenants will be fully aware that continued anti-social behaviour could jeopardise their tenancy agreements, potentially leading to eviction or a community banning order from the area for a number of years.”