DRUGS raids were carried out, shops suspected of selling illicit tobacco swooped upon and motoring offences sought out as police rounded on law breakers in Tameside.
Early morning raids saw Greater Manchester officers break down doors as Operation AVRO swung into full effect.
And The Correspondent was allowed to accompany them on a day of action.
As winds whipped around the area and rain and hail came down, those suspected of breaking the law were targeted, with officers from other areas drafted in.
Before 7am on Thursday, February 17, three people had been arrested following raids at separate properties on Booth Close in Stalybridge.
There the trio was taken on suspicion of cultivation, possession of cannabis and abstracting electricity.
After another drugs raid in Dukinfield and the discovery of a cannabis farm on Talbot Road in Hyde, it was on to licensing matters, with 14 of 18 shops tested found to be selling illicit tobacco to people, action coming mostly as a result of complaints via the Keep It Out campaign.
Traffic officers also carried out action for motoring and parking offences, while checks were done on taxis and there was also interaction with the public in schools and supermarkets.
Premises in Ashton were also visited before a shop in the centre of Stalybridge found itself the target of Operation AVRO.
And Chief Supt Rob Cousen, head of Tameside’s police, hailed the partnership with other agencies – and warned more action is to come.
He tod The Correspondent: “Operation AVRO was GMP’s response to fighting crime. Looking after people, bringing people to justice and looking after our communities.
“It was multi-faceted. We targeted those who are speeding for example, those who are parking illegally and making it dangerous around schools.
“We obviously we arrested individuals who’ve committed offences along with trying to build up some trust from communities.
“Seeing a massive police presence, with high visibility, all over Tameside helped.”
Chief Supt Cousen added the presence, both in the physical and virtual worlds, has played a big part since he took charge.
He added: “It’s really important our communities understand what we’re doing because we want them to see we are proactive and taking the fight to criminals.
“There’s been a lot more activity on social media. That’s generated more information we can respond to and some culminated in warrants we did.
“I think we’re starting to build those bridges with our communities by speaking to them, engaging with them and listening to them – not just listening but responding too.
“They’re making a huge difference since I came to the post.”
Chief Supt Cousen also had a simple message for criminals in the area – this was the start, not the end as arrest rates doubled in 12 months.
He said: “Together we’re a real force for good.
“We took action on people who thought they could drive around without insurance and arresting people that cause harm to communities.
“In the previous four months, we arrested 1,200 people. In the same period last year, it was about 600.
“We’re taking the fight to criminals – make no mistake about that.
“We took eight firearms off the streets and two kilos of drugs. We’ve looked after, cared for and safeguarded victims in Tameside.
“We’ve the best arrest to crime ratio on burglary and robbery and the biggest reductions in vehicle crime. There’s also been a reduction of anti-social behaviour. But this is just the start.”