POLICE chiefs estimate 176 organised crime groups – OCGs – are currently operating across Greater Manchester, with almost a quarter of the gangs identified said to have access to firearms.
Drugs are said to remain the ‘primary crime type’ for the vast majority of the criminal gangs.
Of the 176, 55 active organised crime groups are said to be ‘impacting the city of Manchester’ – accounting for 31 per cent of all known OCGs in Greater Manchester.
Oldham and Salford have the second-highest number of organised crime groups, with 19 and 18 respectively, reveals a new report.
The data and details are contained in a new crime-busting strategy launched by Greater Manchester Police to tackle criminal gangs.
Crime gangs in Greater Manchester, according to the strategy’s report, are largely focused on firearms, money laundering, modern slavery and human trafficking, child sexual abuse and organised acquisitive crime.
Studies, say police, have also seen an increase in OCGs involved in organised ‘acquisitive’ crime, with 7pc of all known gangs said to be involved in organised robbery, burglary or vehicle theft.
The report also reveals a ‘steep increase’ in the number of UK-born victims of modern slavery, which has correlated with the growing recognition of child exploitation as a form of modern slavery and human trafficking.
“Criminal exploitation now accounts for the largest number of potential victims in Greater Manchester, followed by sexual exploitation,” it says.
This story is from the May 25, 2022 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 25, 2022 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Boy's horror fall as he watched City's FA Cup win drama
WITNESSES THOUGHT TEENAGER WAS DEAD AFTER WEMBLEY PLUNGE
Pep knows City won't coast home in 'toughest' game in front of his side
PEP Guardiola told City players to prove him wrong again with the toughest fixture left in their Premier League run-in.
Mum turned from 'respected' health career to life of drugs and crime
A FORMER NHS auxiliary nurse became a career criminal after she developed a severe drug habit following the birth of her third child.
Four-four-BREW
LIONESS JILL AND PARTNER'S POPULAR COFFEE SHOP ON THE MOVE
Football legend's tasty signing for hotel restaurant
EX-UNITED STAR TO TEAM UP WITH MICHELIN CHEF
Delays in diagnosis leading to more deaths from cancer
GREATER MANCHESTER HOSPITALS VOW TO IMPROVE PERFORMANCE
ROCKET MEN
MAYORS PLEDGE NEW TRAIN LINK BETWEEN CITIES, 200 YEARS AFTER WORLD'S FIRST PASSENGER RAILWAY
Alleged killers 'took 170 mile taxi ride to lawyer'
MURDER TRIAL JURY TOLD OF CALL TO SOLICITOR AFTER STABBING
New parking scheme slaps RESIDENTS with tickets
'APPEALS BACKLOG' AFTER FINES ARE INCORRECTLY ISSUED
New life for much-loved old cinema
CHURCH GROUP TO RENOVATE BUILDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY USE