Enforcement team tackles organised crime

Councillor Daalat Ali (front) with the Partnership Enforcement Team based at Rochdale Police Station

The Partnership Enforcement Team (PET), set up to tackle organised crime, has carried out 50 operations and made more than 20 arrests

The team, based at Rochdale Police Station, was established earlier this year in response to the Government’s Serious and Organised Crime Strategy.

In its first six months it has carried out more than 50 joint enforcement and compliance operations, resulting in over 20 arrests for a variety of offences, together with the seizure of drugs, alcohol, tobacco and other property with a value over £200,000.

The team's work has also led to the issue of numerous housing and fire safety enforcement notices and the recovery of significant sums of fraudulently claimed council tax discount/benefit.

This month the team took part in the Greater Manchester wide Programme Challenger Week of Action, aimed at the people behind organised crime, resulting in four arrests and three summons being issued, and the seizure of vehicles and property.