Bolton: Police targeting robbery hotspots for Operation Calibre

Greater Manchester Police officers have been in Queens Park tonight, Monday, as part of a force crackdown.

The work comes as part of Operation Calibre, a national week of action among police forces to tackle robbery. 

Starting today and running until Sunday, November 26, the initiative will tackle neighbourhood crime, with a heightened focus on targeting robbery. 

A GMP spokesperson said: "Officers will be on patrol in the area of Queens Park, Bolton tonight as part of Operation Calibre.

"Operation Calibre is the national robbery week of action, which has returned to Greater Manchester today, Monday, November 20 and will run until Sunday, November 26.

"Officers will be supporting the national initiative operation which will tackle neighbourhood crime, with a heightened focus on targeting robbery.

"Officers will be out and about this week in Bolton targeting robbery hotspot locations to keep members of the pubic safe and reassure our communities.

"If you need to make a non-emergency crime report, call 101 or use our Live Chat service at www.gmp.police.uk. Always dial 999 in an emergency."

Detective Superintendent Dave Meeney, force lead for robbery, said: “Criminals look for easy opportunities, they don’t mind who they target but will look for easy wins.

Queens Park this evening (Image: GMP)

“Neighbourhood crime can happen to anyone and it’s our job, as the police, to ensure that we actively target those who threaten the safety of our neighbourhoods and also provide the public with crime prevention advice to reduce instances of robbery in the first place.

“We don’t underestimate the impact robbery can have on victims, it is immense and it can affect their daily lives.

“During the week, officers will be intensifying foot patrols in areas where robberies occur by targeting those who are committing robberies to make the streets of Greater Manchester safer."

Police (Image: Newquest)

He added: "Alongside this, officers from neighbourhood teams will be deployed to local schools and events across the region with a clear focus to engage with local communities to provide education on crime prevention to reduce chances of people falling victim to this type of crime.

“Our prevention advice makes it easy for you to make it hard for criminals and it is imperative to follow the advice to help keep yourself and your property safe from criminals."