Tameside man arrested for multiple offences in city centre clampdown

A 40-year-old man from Ashton has been arrested for drugs offences, breaching court bail, and assaulting a police officer after a sting in Manchester city centre.

The man was held at around 6:30pm on Friday September 20 at Piccadilly Metrolink stop as part of Project Servator, which GMP says is a ‘national policing tactic to disrupt criminal activity and provide a reassuring presence for the public’. 

He was initially detained on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. 

Another suspect from Salford was arrested at 9pm in St Peters Square in relation to a series of thefts in Trafford, before a search found a quantity of Class As. 

Focused on increasing police visibility on public transport, officers working on Project Servator also broke up fights in Bolton and Cornbrook, returning children home after both incidents. 

“This deployment is one of many we do on a regular basis around Greater Manchester, working with our Transport Unit and partners, Transport for Greater Manchester, showing an active presence on the tram and bus networks,” said Inspector James Corrigan, from GMP’s Specialist Operations Planning Unit. 

“Our aim is always to keep the public safe and these deployments go a long way in doing that, our officers are experienced and specially trained to spot the tell-tale signs that someone is planning or preparing to commit an act of crime and having extra trained officers will strengthen that. 

“While we targeted many forms of criminality, we’re also there to prevent anti-social behaviour and intervene in instances to ensure everyone travelling via public transit can go about their journeys feeling safe and reassured.” 

It is an approach echoed by TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, Kate Green: “Ensuring that customers and staff are safe, and feel safe, when travelling or working on public transport is of paramount importance to us, and our commitment to tackling crime and antisocial behaviour on our networks is absolute. 

“Project Servator is vitally important in helping reassure the travelling public and deter groups and individuals from engaging in unwanted behaviours, and the TravelSafe Partnership will continue to support our partner agencies in delivering this deployment.”