AN operation by police to combat robbery and violent crime is starting to yield results in Bolton.

Police have been delivering high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas as part of Operation Valiant.

Officers have been working with the Greater Manchester force's violence reduction unit where they focus on specific locations to root out crime.

While out on patrol police have also been engaging with the local community to look for potential causes of crime in a given area - and looking to see how these can be addressed.

In the last several months different areas of Bolton, mostly in the south of the borough, have been targeted as part of the operation.

In December officers were on patrol near Morris Green Park, where they aimed to root out violent crime.

The following month police visited Ellesmere Road in Great Lever, where they focused more on preventing theft and robberies.

The same area was visited the next day with officers working on nearby Maltby Drive.

Earlier this month the operation led the police back to Morris Green Park.

A police spokesman said at the time: “You may notice our extra patrols in your area. Our officers are there to disrupt offenders and keep you safe.”

Insp Paul Nolan, of GMP’s violence reduction unit, explained how the operation is working.

He said: “In partnership with the violence reduction unit (VRU), officers working as part of Operation Valiant, which aims to tackle personal robbery and violent crime, are delivering high-visibility patrols in hotspot areas across Greater Manchester.

“This latest phase of the operation uses detailed analysis to focus resources on specific areas, allowing officers to target known offenders and keep members of the public safe, as well as engage with the local community and partners to identify potential cause factors for crime in that area and work to address these concerns.”

He also urged people to engage with the operation by letting police know what the issues were where they live.

He added: “Residents can find out more about Operation Valiant via the GMP website, which includes a survey link which we are asking residents to complete so that we can better understand local issues.”

Police also issued advice about how to help people become victims of the sort of crime the operation was targeting.

Recommended steps include keeping mobiles and valuables out of sight when working home, being aware of surroundings if on a phone or using headphones, not to risk personal safety if threatened with violence and to plan a route which includes sticking to routes covered by CCTV and which are likely to be well-lit.