Proactive Operation in Piccadilly Gardens Leads to Multiple Arrests

Officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team based at Piccadilly Gardens carried out a proactive patrol yesterday as part of ongoing work to tackle anti-social behaviour and organised begging in the city centre.

During the operation, several arrests were made as officers targeted individuals responsible for repeated reports of nuisance and criminality in the area.

PC Simm arrested an adult female on suspicion of begging. The woman had been the subject of multiple reports from members of the public in recent weeks regarding anti-social behaviour in and around the Gardens. She has since been charged and given court conditions which prohibit her from returning to the area.

PC Duffy also made an arrest after locating an adult female who was wanted on recall to prison. She was detained and taken into custody so that she could be returned to serve the remainder of her sentence.

Elsewhere during the patrol, PC Zamecnik arrested an adult male who was found to be in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order. The order had previously been granted following numerous convictions across Manchester, including offences involving violence and theft. He has been charged and remanded in custody to appear before court this morning.

The operation concluded with PC Cross arresting an adult male on suspicion of begging and breaching a Community Protection Notice. This individual had also been the subject of repeated reports of anti-social behaviour around Piccadilly Gardens in recent months. He has now been issued with court conditions prohibiting him from returning to the Piccadilly area.

Sergeant Wyatt praised the work of the team following the operation.

“Operations like this highlight the varied and important work carried out by neighbourhood officers every day. We know that a small number of individuals can cause significant misery for residents, businesses and visitors to the city centre.

“Our officers will continue to proactively target those responsible for anti-social behaviour and criminality in the area. We will always take strong action against people who repeatedly bring disruption and harm to the community.”

Neighbourhood teams will continue to work closely with partner agencies and local businesses to ensure that Piccadilly Gardens remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone who lives, works and visits the city centre.