Overview
- Greater Manchester Police launched Operation North Star in November as part of the Home Office's Winter of Action, focusing on violence against women and girls, anti-social behaviour and the night-time economy.
- Extra uniformed and plain-clothes officers are patrolling bars and busy streets, working with the council, universities, licensed venues and support groups to intervene, disrupt predatory behaviour and make safeguarding referrals.
- GMP reports significant falls in priority offences in hotspots, including a 50% reduction in rape and 61% drop in theft from person on Peter Street and a 68% reduction in rape and 67% drop in personal robbery in The Village.
- Following a large incident on December 4 involving about 100 youths fighting and throwing fireworks on Oldham's Union Street, GMP enacted an additional patrol plan to prevent further disorder.
- The force links recent pressures to Manchester's rapid growth and a student population of around 100,000 and says it is working to improve trust, including among LGBTQ+ communities.