An undercover police operation in Piccadilly Gardens has led to 24 “alleged drug dealers” being arrested.
The arrests were made during the early hours of yesterday morning (14 May) as part of a huge operation “to tackle drugs supply in Piccadilly Gardens”, as well as forming part of Greater Manchester Police‘s (GMP) ongoing ‘Operation Vulcan’ – which was launched in September 2023, and is a mission to crackdown on organised crime, the sale of counterfeit goods, and hit the finances of the gangs operating out of the Cheetham Hill and Strangeways areas of Manchester.
Almost 300 officers from across the force executed 23 warrants at addresses across Greater Manchester as part of the operation yesterday morning, and in total, 22 men and two women, all between the ages of 18 – 45, were arrested.
Arrests were made on the suspicion of being concerned in the supply of class A drugs.
The successful arrests come after officers from ‘Operation Vulcan’ have been running an undercover operation in Piccadilly Gardens for the last six months, alongside specialist officers from the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NWROCU), and their high visibility patrols.
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#OpVulcan | Undercover operation in Piccadilly Gardens leads to 24 arrests.
For the past six months, we've had undercover police in Piccadilly Gardens. You might not have seen then, but they will have seen you.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 14, 2024
“You may be used to seeing our Operation Vulcan team in uniform, but what you won’t have noticed, is the undercover officers in and amongst the suspected criminals,” GMP admitted in a statement following yesterday’s arrests.
All those arrested currently remain in police custody while officers search their houses.
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So far, GMP has seized almost £10,000 in cash, and hundreds of snap bags of drugs, as well as having recovered several crucial mobile phones and sim cards.
Detective Sergeant Matt Donnelly, from GMP’s Operation Vulcan, described yesterday’s action as a “huge operation”.
24 ‘alleged drug dealers’ arrested following undercover GMP operation in Piccadilly Gardens / Credit: GMP
He continued: “We know how deeply the drugs trade impacts our communities, and the violence and depravity it brings with it, which is why we have launched such a major operation to tackle it.
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“By arresting 24 people, I can confidently say we have dismantled and disrupted several different county lines and local drug networks. But we won’t be complacent, and this should be a warning for anyone who thinks criminal activity is welcome in our city.
“We want to make sure criminals are living a life of high anxiety, and I hope that anyone who considers coming to Piccadilly Gardens to deal drugs is constantly looking over their shoulder.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Peter Kay announces four intimate charity shows in Greater Manchester – but only for these postcodes
Emily Sergeant
Peter Kay has just announced four intimate shows to raise money for a very worthy cause… but you can only get tickets if you live in these particular postcodes.
Comedy legend Peter Kay is set to return home to the Bolton Albert Halls for four very special hometown shows in this summer, marking his first performances at the venue more than two decades.
Taking to the very stage where he recorded the UK’s biggest-selling stand-up DVD, it’s set to be a proper nostalgic homecoming for one of Britain’s most beloved comedians.
The summer shows – which are taking place from 9 – 11 July 2026, even including a matinee performance – this is a rare chance for local fans to be part of something incredibly special, with all funds raised going to Bolton Hospice.
But, there’s a bit of a catch… you’ll only be able to get tickets if you live in Bolton (and some parts of Bury), as it’s strictly limited to BL postcodes.
Peter Kay Live at the Bolton Albert Halls – 2026 Dates
Thursday 9 July (Evening)
Friday 10 July (Evening)
Saturday 11 July (Matinee)
Saturday 11 July (Evening)
Tickets officially go on sale Friday 24 April at 10am, and you can get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
News
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic
Emily Sergeant
A new survey has revealed that seven in 10 NHS workers believe the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic if one should arise.
After the recent meningitis B outbreak in Kent last month raised the conversation of mass contagion once again, of course following the COVID-19 pandemic, a new YouGov survey of more than 1,000 NHS workers has now uncovered how well prepared staff in the health service think it is for another global pandemic.
The results show that 69% of staff surveyed think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic, and to make matters worse, 26% of those even say it’s ‘very poorly’ prepared.
Only one in five (22%) think the NHS is could properly handle another pandemic, but statistically, YouGov claims none of those surveyed said it’s ‘very well’ prepared.
Seven in 10 NHS workers think the health service is ‘poorly prepared’ for another pandemic / Credit: Pxhere | Rawpixel
When workers were asked how the NHS’s level of preparedness now compares to prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 41% did concede that they think it is better prepared now than 2020, however 37% admitted they think it’s no better prepared.
16% actively think it’s less well-prepared now than it was prior to 2020.
This marked a new era of ‘transparency’ and ‘accountability’ in the NHS, with the league tables delivering on the Government’s promise to drive up standards, tackle variation in care, and ensure people get the high-quality service they rightly expect.
Every trust in England – from urgent and emergency care, through to elective operations and mental health services – will now be ranked quarterly against ‘clear and consistent’ standards.
Emily Sergeant -
15th May 2024 
