Man arrested, knife seized and stolen motorbike recovered by GMP's Operation Venture team

Yesterday (Tuesday 7 March 2023), officers from Operation Venture were patrolling in Manchester when they received reports from members of the public that at around 3pm a youth had been seen on a motorbike with a large bladed article on Gill Street, Manchester.

Officers deployed to the location where the male was seen and pursued a male matching the description given.

A 16-year-old male was detained and searched and a set of bolt cutters recovered from a rucksack. The male was arrested on suspicion of going equipped to steal.

Officers then inspected and searched the motorbike of interest and from this recovered a large knife concealed in a compartment. Checks later revealed the motorbike was registered as a stolen vehicle.

The 16-year-old male was further arrested on suspicion of possession of a bladed article and theft of a motor vehicle.

PC Cartledge of GMP's Operation Venture team said: "These are exactly the sorts of results we want to deliver and what our communities expect from us. Operation Venture is about working with communities to detect and deter knife crime and serious violence.

"The seizure today is a brilliant result for us because it's one more knife off the streets of Greater Manchester."

We all have a part to play in fighting, preventing and reducing knife crime. If you know or suspect someone is carrying a knife, please report it immediately - before it is too late. You can contact GMP via gmp.police.uk or 101.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers also have a dedicated website which enables 11 – 17 year olds to pass on information anonymously – this can be accessed through Fearless.org

In an emergency, always dial 999.