Critical Wanted Unit wins GMP’s top award after tracking most dangerous criminals in Greater Manchester

Tuesday, 2 December 2025 18:10

By David Murphy

Greater Manchester Police’s elite fugitive-hunting team has been named Team of the Year at the Chief Constable’s Awards, recognising its outstanding results in locating and arresting the region’s most dangerous criminals.

The eight-officer Force Critical Wanted Unit (FCWU) scooped the top accolade at GMP’s annual ceremony in November after another record-breaking year. The team specialises in tracking down suspects wanted for serious offences, including murder, armed robbery and aggravated burglary.

In 2025, the FCWU identified 91 suspects and made 119 arrests, marking a six percent rise on its previous year. Since 2023, arrests have increased by 24 percent overall, with a consistent upward trend in performance each year.

Their work made national headlines in February 2025 following the tragic death of a three-year-old girl in Manchester city centre. The child was killed when Rawal Rehman, from Chorlton, crashed a van into a tram and mounted the pavement after ignoring stop signs at a junction on Mosley Street.

Rehman fled the scene and went into hiding for two days. He was later tracked down by the FCWU to a Blackburn address, using a combination of covert surveillance and digital forensics. His capture followed intensive coordination with other GMP teams.

Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson praised the unit as “an immense force for good” and said they embodied the courage, professionalism and commitment that define modern policing in Greater Manchester.

“They are not given easy tasks,” he said. “We trust them to find and arrest the most dangerous and evasive criminals in our society. Their success is not down to luck, it’s down to skill, bravery and relentless determination.”

The FCWU has built a strong reputation across the force for its quiet efficiency and ability to deliver results under pressure. Head of the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, Detective Superintendent Joe Harrop, said the team’s work went far beyond making arrests.

“It’s about protecting people,” he said. “The criminals they pursue are those who pose the greatest threat to our communities. Every success they have directly contributes to making Greater Manchester safer.”

Detective Inspector James Coles, who leads the team, said the award recognised the hidden hours of planning, risk-taking and teamwork that go into every operation.

“Each arrest often involves weeks of surveillance, rapid decision-making and long hours,” he said. “This award isn’t about individual glory – it’s a tribute to the commitment and grit of every member of the team.”