Greater Manchester Police (GMP) laid down a physical marker this morning that confirmed the relaunch of an operation tackling personal robberies as shops reopen.
Retailers began trading again this morning (15 June), leading to increased footfall across the city centre.
In an attempt to prevent theft in the area, GMP has relaunched Operation Valiant – which has led to the arrest “of hundreds and hundreds of offenders” since 2018.
The operation aims to both deter offenders and educate the public about the risks and different steps they can use to keep themselves safe.
Speaking at the GMP press conference at Piccadilly Gardens, Superintendent Chris Hill, the officer in charge of the Forces Response to Personal Robbery, commented: “Operation Valiant is a force-wide initiative to bring offenders to justice and educate members of the public about remaining alert and look after their own possessions.
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“We’re going to have to shop differently now. People are going to have to be more alert. We’re gonna have to queue outside shops, and that just might give the offender that opportunity and chance.
“Our offenders do have some great tactics, sometimes it’s a quick hit, they could potentially use pedal cycles or just run past.
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“The message is just be extra alert, look after your possessions, and just be aware of your surroundings.”
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The superintendent also stated that well as targeting offenders, officers would be approaching members of the public and offering guidance on how to protect themselves in the new climate.
“…when we’re seeing members of the public on their mobile phones or just stood there texting, we’re giving them a little leaflet that says: You could have been a victim today,” he explained.
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“We’ve already seen a big significant turnout (of shoppers) in the city this week.
“As soon as you leave your home you need to be extra vigilant. We don’t have any defined hotspots where you’re going to come across our offenders.
“Be vigilant and be alert. Help us to help you.”
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According to GMP, Operation Valiant has not just resulted in the successful arrest of offenders, but also longer sentences.
“The real positive thing is, we’re now working with our partners, we’re working with CPS, and we’ve got some fantastic custodial resources,” said Superintendent Hill.
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“On recently… one of our community members attacked and robbed on the trams, and the offenders have just got six years each.
“There was another series of offences over in another area in Manchester – they got 12 years each.
“So, what we’re doing now is utilising our experience, we’re more confident now in liaising with our partners and we’re pulling together that series of incidents to make sure offenders are going to prison for a long time.”
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GMP will be deploying high-visibility patrols in the coming weeks right the way through the region – as well as covert officers.
In a press release, GMP issued the following message to members of the public: “If you see something suspicious or want to report a crime, you can do so via the GMP website or by calling 101.
“Always dial 999 in an emergency.”
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Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Pear)
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Andy Burnham explains why Number 10 North is so important as it officially ‘opens for business’
Emily Sergeant
Andy Burnham has explained his key reasons for launching Number 10 North as it officially ‘opens for business’ this week.
You may remember that earlier last month, Andy Burnham revealed he had intentions to create a Number 10 North if he was to become Prime Minister, with the new base expected to be a ‘dominant driver of the UK’s economy’ once it was officially up and running… and now, fast forward to today, Number 10 North is officially ‘open for business’.
Operating from Heron House in Manchester city centre, as previously reported on, Number 10 North will be the Government’s new ‘situation room for growth’.
It also brings the ‘levers’ of local economic growth and devolution together under one roof for the first time ever.
Number 10 North has officially ‘opened for business’ / Credit: gov.uk (via Wikimedia Commons)
With the Prime Minister expected to work from Number 10 North each week, so that decisions about the country’s economic future will no longer exclusively be made in Westminster, and with other ministers also working from there on a regular basis, the Government says the move underlines its determination to ‘do things differently’.
Now that Number 10 North has officially opened, Andy Burnham and his fellow ministers have explained why this move is so important for not just Manchester, but the north as a whole.
“For 40 years, power and resources have been sucked into the centre, and too many communities have felt forgotten, without the attention and investment they deserve,” explained Andy Burnham.
“Number 10 North will change that by putting more power into every postcode across the entire country. It will be the situation room for making Britain better, the place we use to get power out of Westminster, into the hands of people at a local level, so that they can turn things around.
“The days of Whitehall resisting devolution are over, for good.”
First Secretary Louise Haigh added: “Today marks a fundamental re-balancing of where power sits in our country. Number 10 North has been set up to drive economic growth in every postcode and put power in the hands of every community.
The Manc -
15th June 2020 
