'As darkness falls...': GMP chief follows up dramatic 'Churchill' speech with update on more than 50 arrests across Oldham

As night falls in Oldham, GMP Chief Superintendent Chris Bowen is standing outside the Civic Centre with a camera pointing at him from an awkward angle as he gears up to deliver a public service announcement to residents of the borough.

“Oldham is the safest place to live and work in Greater Manchester,” the Supt says as snow patters across his face. It’s a bold statement but one he confidently delivers following a successful targeted police operation throughout the borough yesterday (March 31).

The message follows a statement Bowden released earlier in the day where he dropped references to Winston Churchill and a leading suffragette. Operation Avro - a police initiative tackling crimes which have been reported by local residents - is running across every borough of the region each month.

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Announcing that Avro had arrived in Oldham, the Supt said at the start of the morning : "Today is the day we take the fight back to the criminal and Op Avro lands in Oldham. By the time you watch this video numerous warrants will have been executed.

"Those warrants will have been executed on information and intelligence provided by you the good people of Oldham. If you log in later today I'll give you updated on the progress but for now, rest assured the full might of Greater Manchester Police is here in Oldham today, taking the fight back to the criminals."

By 8am, Greater Manchester Police confirmed 30 arrests had been made following at an address on Huddersfield Road. As promised, the Chief Superintendent offered a further update later in the day to announce 54 arrests were made during the day’s operation.

He said: “As darkness falls on