Gangs and organised crime are not just a Salford problem but the city has come up with a unique way of tackling it and keeping people safe.
Project Gulf has jailed hundreds of criminals, seized millions of pounds worth of assets, rescued people from slavery and taken substantial amounts of drugs and firearms off the streets.
As well as targeting those involved in organised crime and gang members, the project is working with children and young people to steer them away from crime and into a better future.
Set up by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Salford City Council in 2009, Project Gulf now involves 20 national and local agencies from probation to immigration enforcement which collaborate to learn everything they can about organised crime and gang members and disrupt every aspect of the lives of those involved. The project also works to arrest and charge people with crimes, protect potential victims and seize criminal assets such as property, cars and money.
Project Gulf is also protecting future generations by providing positive alternatives to gangs and a life of crime, from sports, fun activities and mentoring to training and apprenticeships. One such project is Fearless, a powerful, gritty drama written and produced entirely by teenagers as part of their commitment to Stand up for Salford.
And it’s part of Greater Manchester’s partnership response to organise crimes, Project Challenger. Challenger unites GMP, local authorities and other partner agencies to detect and disrupt criminality, protect the vulnerable and safeguard those at risk from becoming victims or perpetrators of organised crime.
If you have information about crimes past or planned, or information about gang members’ activities, you can report it completely anonymously to Crimestoppers.
Callers to Crimestoppers are not asked for their name or personal details and calls are not recorded or traced.
Specially trained staff ensure reports do not contain any identifying information before they are passed on to the police. Online reports are treated in exactly the same way.
To give information anonymously call 0800 555 111 or visit the Crimestoppers website.