In case you’re not familiar with Operation Vulcan, it was first launched back in 2022, and is GMP’s 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.
But now, the police force is looking to extend the operation to the heart of the city centre, the BBC reports, and Piccadilly Gardens is the first place on the agenda.
Plans to transform Piccadilly Gardens into a ‘welcoming public space’ and one that feels ‘uniquely Mancunian with a strong sense of identity’ are expected to be submitted to Manchester City Council next year – with architects LDA Design having been appointed to take on the task last month.
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GMP vows to clean up Piccadilly Gardens and tackle ‘anti-social behaviour’ / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Manchester City Council
Local residents, workers, and regular visitors to the city centre, however, will know that the social hub and greenspace is far from that at the moment.
Not only does the area have a long history of anti-social behaviour, drug use, and on occasion, violent crime, but in recent months, there has been a concerning rise in such activity, including a number of large-scale disturbances – which GMP has already committed to leaving “no stone unturned” as officers attempt to find out the masterminds of.
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But with GMP Chief Constable Stephen Watson confirming that Operation Vulcan is to be brought to the area ‘within weeks’, this reputation could soon change, as he wants to launch a crack-down on people heading there to drink alcohol and smoking cannabis.
Mr Watson said Piccadilly Gardens looks ‘poor’ and ‘attracts too many of the wrong sort of people’.
‘Operation Vulcan’ will be introduced in the area “within weeks” / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Piccadilly Gardens is not the gateway to Manchester that any of us want,” Mr Watson said.
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“It looks poor. It attracts too many of the wrong sort of people. It creates a sense of lawlessness and a lack of safety. Too often there’s a smell of cannabis and it does need tidying up.”
He added confirmed that ‘Vulcan Piccadilly’ is “coming soon”.
“I’ve just appointed two additional Chief Inspectors, who will oversee the leadership responsibility, [and] we are absolutely determined to clear up Piccadilly Gardens and we are working really closely with Manchester City Council”.
Manchester City Council’s leader, Bev Craig, also confirmed that the Council will be working with police on the new operation.
Admitting that Piccadilly Gardens still has “some problems”, she went on to add that the aim of ‘Vulcan Piccadilly’ will be to ensure that “anyone that has any interest in committing a crime won’t be going anywhere near Piccadilly Gardens.”
Featured Image – Manchester City Council
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Police provide update after stabbing of 14-year-old boy at Manchester Arndale carpark
Emily Sergeant
Police have provided an update following the stabbing of a young boy in Manchester city centre over the weekend.
At around 3:15pm this past Saturday afternoon (17 October 2026), officers from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) were called out to reports of a stabbing on the ninth floor of the Arndale carpark in Manchester city centre.
Emergency services attended the scene, and a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with injuries consistent with a stab wound.
Thankfully, the victim’s injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life changing, but an investigation and enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Inspector Sam Jones, of GMP’s City of Manchester District CID, said this will ‘understandably’ cause concern, but has assured the public that police believe this to be an ‘isolated incident.
“Detectives at the scene are working extremely hard to process the scene with Crime Scene Investigators,” explained DI Jones in an update statement issued.
“The car park is expected to be closed for several hours, so we ask for your understanding and patience whilst we gather evidence to bring these offenders to justice.
“Detectives and Officers will be in the area today to speak with local businesses and members of the public to provide reassurance. This is believed to be an isolated incident with no risk to the wider public.
“Greater Manchester Police are committed to diligently investigating all knife crime and bringing offenders to justice, and we are asking for anyone with information about this incident to come forward to assist with our enquiries.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting log 2050 of 17/10/2026, or via the LiveChat function. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Featured Image – Wikimedia Commons
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TfGM issues statement as ‘essential’ work begins on three major Metrolink lines across Greater Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Passengers are being urged to plan ahead as no trams will be running on three major Greater Manchester lines for the next two weeks.
If you need bringing up to speed a little, as part of the ongoing £150m investment into Greater Manchester’s tram network, essential improvement work is being carried out on three major Metrolink lines across the region in a bid to make the network ‘safer’ and ‘more resilient and reliable for passengers’ for years to come.
This means that from today (Monday 19 October) through to Sunday 1 November, tram improvement works will take place at Deansgate-Castlefield, and Trafford Bar.
Additional works will also take place in the city centre during this time, allowing TfGM to keep closures of the tram network to a minimum.
During the dates above, no trams will run on the Altrincham, Trafford Centre, and Eccles lines.
A number of shuttle bus services will the running over the course of the two-week closure, however – with services arriving every 10 or 15 minutes, depending on the line, and you can find a full list of these here.
But despite the alternative services, widespread disruption is still expected for hundreds of people.
TfGM has issued a statement on the works being carried out, and offered support to anyone who may need it: “This is essential work that will help keep our tram network safe, reliable and fit for the future. We’re sorry for the disruption and we’ll be doing everything we can to make sure people can still get around while it’s taking place.
“We’ve listened carefully to feedback from customers during previous closures and have introduced more direct shuttle buses between key locations and extra buses on local Bee Network routes.
“If you use any of the affected lines, now is the time to check your travel plans.
“We’d encourage everyone to visit the Bee Network website or app before travelling so they can see the options available to them and allow extra time where necessary.”
Services will resume on these lines from start of service on Monday 2 November.
However there will be some minor route changes through the city centre in place from Monday 2 to Wednesday 4 November, so it’s important to check your journey before you travel.
Emily Sergeant -
31st August 2023 
