Police Descend On Metrolink In Fight Against Crime

Oldham Neighbourhood Policing Team made several arrests, recovered a stolen bike and a car following a police chase during a multi-agency operation in the town to combat crime.

Officers descended on the Metrolink stations in South Chadderton, Freehold, Westwood and King Street stops to tackle drug supply and knife crime on the network on Friday.   

The joint operation was held in partnership between the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and district tasking team (DTT), alongside partner agencies including XM Transport Unit, Travel Safe Greater Manchester (TSGM) and Oldham Council.  

Intelligence received by officers found there had been several incidents where young people committed anti-social behaviour (ASB) and violent offences on the trams travelling between Oldham Town Centre and Chadderton.   

On several occasions, knives had been reportedly spotted.  Officers set up knife arches at several of the Metrolink stations and enforced a funnelling system to ensure people who travelled on the network went through the knife arch scanners.   

Anyone found to set off the knife arches were subjected to a search, if reasonable grounds permitted it, utilising stop search powers.  

Plain clothes officers were deployed on the trams to act as spotters who communicated any issues whilst in motion so that anyone identified could be swiftly detained at the next stop by uniformed officers.  

The results from this operation resulted in over 40 stop searches, four arrests: one on suspicion of theft of a pedal cycle, one on suspicion of assault by beating, and two for section 50 of the Police Reform Act (refusal to provide details following an incident of ASB).  

Others included one community resolution and two stolen items recovered including a pedal cycle and a Ford Fiesta from Saddleworth following a pursuit.   

On the day, police at the South Chadderton Metrolink were approached by a member of the public whose pedal cycle had just been stolen, and the suspect had jumped onto a tram heading towards Oldham.   

The information was relayed promptly over the radio to other officers, and CCTV operators were able to identify the tram which the offender was traveling on.  

They maintained surveillance and communicated the suspect’s movements and gave an up-to-date description. 

Officers were able to intercept the offender at King Street Metrolink station where they were arrested. The stolen bike was recovered and handed back to the victim.   

Officers deployed on the operation later sighted a Silver Ford Fiesta which was being driven erratically.   

Officers managed to follow the vehicle and passed the registration of the vehicle to comms staff who confirmed the vehicle was stolen two days prior from Saddleworth.   

A short pursuit took place whereby the vehicle had a minor collision with another vehicle and the suspect made off.   

Officers gave chase on foot, along with staff from the Dog Unit, and Drone Unit however, the suspect was unable to be located.  

The stolen vehicle has been recovered for CSI examination. 

PS Tom Layton, from our Oldham district’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I’d like to take this opportunity to give special recognition and thanks to all partner agencies involved in this operation. 

“Together, we identified an issue and proactively worked to help solve it so that residents in our community can travel around safely.   

“I’m really pleased with the outcomes from the day. Our work does not stop here; we will continue to listen to the concerns of our communities and tackle the issues that matter them the most.”