In response to a dedicated operation – codenamed Operation Heamus – police in Cheetham Hill have taken the decision to implement Section 60 powers under the 1994 Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.
This tactic comes after what officers believe to be an ongoing dispute between two local crime groups and a most recent incident, whereby an 18-year-old was shot on Spender Avenue on Monday.
The implementation of the act means that officers in the Cheetham Hill area will have extended stop and search powers for a period of time.
Superintendent Rebecca Boyce, of GMP’s City of Manchester division, said: “This is not a decision we have taken lightly, but I hope it demonstrates very clearly to the people of Cheetham Hill that we are willing to make important decisions in order to protect our communities and those people who are affected by this kind of mindless crime.
“Disputes of this kind are dangerous. They rip families apart and destroy people’s futures. More than anything we understand this and want to put a stop to this kind of offending so hope that measures like this one are preventative and make people who are tempted by this kind of lifestyle, stop and think before brandishing a weapon on our streets.
“Operation Heamus will remain very much ongoing and we will continue to work with a range of partners here in North Manchester to protect those people who are most vulnerable. I would also like to take this opportunity to plea with anyone who has information to please come forward and assist our enquiries as a matter of urgency.
“We hope that the community support us with this decision and continue to report any suspicious activity.”
