Seven arrested in prostitution operation

Operation Hawk targets prostitutes and kerb-crawlers

Police have arrested seven people in an undercover operation against prostitution and street crime.

Three women and four men were arrested on suspicion of prostitution and kerb-crawling in Operation Hawk in Whalley Range, Manchester, on Thursday night.

Local residents and councillors were invited along to the officers' pre-briefing to reassure them that crime in the area is being tackled.

A total of 20 officers took part in the crackdown, sparked by police intelligence highlighting a link between street crime and prostitution.

Insp John Graves says the operation was successful

Plain clothes officers patrolled the streets on foot, and by car, to raise awareness of the risk prostitutes and their clients face in becoming either a victim, or an offender, of street crime.

Inspector John Graves, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "This operation has been a great success.

"Residents often believe that the police are not doing enough to bring offenders to justice, but a lot of the work we do is covert and not obviously visible to the general public.

"A great deal of information and intelligence was also gathered in relation to other motor vehicles sighted in the locality during the course of this operation.

"We will be researching these over the next few days."