Greater Manchester Police have carried out a number of arrests and stop searches, and seized lethal weapons, as part of a dedicated operation to fighting, preventing and reducing knife crime.

The force launched Operation Sycamore in response to three fatal stabbings across the region on three consecutive weekends (22/01/22, 30/01/22, and 04/02/22) and other recent incidents of violence. 

It has seen extra uniformed officers within communities, specifically targeting hotspot areas for crime. Officers have focused on engaging with young people; challenging and responding to anti-social behaviour and crime and exercising their stop and search powers when required.

As a result, between Saturday 5 and Sunday 13 February, GMP say officers arrested 21 people across Greater Manchester for a range of serious offences including attempted murder, rape, possession of a pointed and bladed article, possession of offensive weapons, public order offences and burglary.

The force adds that 58 stop searches were conducted, resulting in nine people being found in possession of cannabis and one person in possession of an offensive weapon.

Five weapons including a machete and a bat have also been seized, while an additional five people were arrested for drink driving after officers stopped 41 vehicles.

Assistant Chief Constable Chris Sykes said: "The impact of three incredibly tragic incidents over recent weeks is still being felt across our communities and GMP is committed to ensuring that the public are kept safe and we remove these lethal weapons from our streets.

"The public want to see police officers on their streets and challenging those who are causing issues, and Operation Sycamore is focused on doing just that. This initiative will carry on into the coming weeks and our officers will continue to stop and search individuals when needed, whilst also providing reassurance to members of the public who are concerned about issues in their area.

"I would urge anyone within the community that has information, or suspects someone is carrying a weapon or is involved in criminal behaviour, to report it to us or to contact Crimestoppers.

"I also directly appeal to those carrying weapons to surrender them in our Forever Amnesty bins - no questions asked. These are located at 13 police stations across Greater Manchester. These weapons ruin lives and I urge you to do the right thing, before it's too late."

Anyone with information can contact GMP via the LiveChat at gmp.police.uk or 101. In an emergency, always dial 999. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.