By Neal Keeling

Copyright manchestereveningnews

A district’s streets have been “returned” to the community after a six-month purge of criminals a police chief claims. Detective Superintendent, Jen Kelly, spoke as two more suspects were arrested in dawn raids in Derker, Oldham . The area had previously been in the grip of armed gangs involved in shootings and brazen drug dealing. But since March when Operation Vulcan was launched there have been 160 arrests in the area, 55 people have been charged and 86 bailed under further investigation. Detective Supt Kelly said: “I think overwhelmingly we have seen public confidence in the police restored – and this is not cheesy corporate speak. The difference for the people who live there – how safe they feel, and confident they feel going about their daily business has been huge. Never miss a story with the MEN’s daily Catch Up newsletter – get it in your inbox by signing up here “People are telling us ‘in the past I wouldn’t let my daughter walk home from work’ or ‘let the kids play in the park’ and now they do. The biggest achievement is that.” Asked if she could assure the community that things would not return to “untouchable” gangs ruling the area again once Vulcan pulls out, she said: “This is something that has been on our agenda from the outset. Firstly we will not be leaving Derker until such time that the ‘clear’ phase of the operation is done and that our partners and the local policing team are in a position to hold all the work that we have done. “We set up partnership meetings. One is about the environment, changes that can be made to improve life; and another about children and young people – what we can do to support them going forward and broaden their future opportunities. These will continue when we are not there. “The full force of GMP will tackle anybody who tries to re-emerge with criminality in Derker.” She added that she believed “100 per cent” that the gangs’ hold over Derker, which was evident at the beginning of the year, had been broken. “They now know that the community has taken back those streets. They can no longer operate with impunity. We are in the community every day stopping vehicles, carrying out searches, gathering intelligence. “I do think we have cleared the problem and are moving into holding the situation – but part of that is kicking in doors as well. We will continue to do these things up until the point where the community is rebuilt. “Enforcement is key and we can respond to whatever happens in Derker. But I would like to thank the people for giving us a chance to improve life for them and supporting us.” Vulcan officers have been working with GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group to dismantle gangs in Derker. In June this year Ethan Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere, 24, of no fixed address was jailed for 16 years after a shooting in Shaw Road, Derker. The incident in broad daylight in January in which a man was shot was a factor in resources being diverted to the area via the Vulcan operation. One man was hit in the back and another narrowly escaped injury after two shots were fired by gunman Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere, while an innocent taxi driver caught up in the attack had to abandon his vehicle and flee on foot. The violence erupted when two men were travelling in a taxi through the Derker at 12.30pm on January 16 this year. As the vehicle reached Shaw Road, the pair saw Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere ride by on a Surron electric bike. He was dressed in black with his face covered, and spotted them in the back of the taxi. Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere then started to follow the taxi and shouted at the driver to stop and let his passengers out. The driver pulled up and, fearing for his life, fled on foot from the car. Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere, 23, shouted at the two passengers to get out and then got into the rear of the taxi himself. One of the passengers got out and jumped on the Surron that had been left at the side of the road. But as he too tried to flee, Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere pulled out a handgun and fired, hitting him in his back. Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere then pointed his gun through the open car doors at the second passenger who got out brandishing a knife. He fired again, missing the passenger by inches, but causing damage to the taxi. He then escaped himself and was picked up by another taxi moments later. Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere was on the run for a day before being tracked to an apartment block in Hulme , where he was arrested by armed police. As officers made their way into the apartment, a black Puma man bag was thrown from a window which was later recovered. It contained a small silver revolver that had a cylinder chamber that had capacity for five bullets. There were three bullets loaded. It is believed that the two bullets that were missing in the chamber were used in the shooting the day before. Glasgow-Lattibeaudiere charged with two counts of attempted murder, section 18 assault, and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Ahead of a scheduled trial, he pleaded guilty to Section 18 wounding, attempted Section 18 wounding and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Since March in Derker four firearms have been recovered, £45,000 of illicit cash seized and 144 vehicles have been seized for a variety of reasons, including being stolen or ridden in a nuisance manner. Twenty five of the vehicles seized were e-bikes / off-road vehicles. In addition, more than 500 people have been stop-searched, more than one hundred care plans put in place, and dozens of bladed weapons seized. Councillor Elaine Taylor, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The impact Operation Vulcan has had in Derker has been incredible. As well as tackling real problem crimes head on, the Vulcan team have made connections and formed relationships with residents. “These relationships have grown a mutual trust that was not there before. I know of young children in the area asking when the Vulcan team would be around so they could see them again – it’s remarkable. Vulcan is making Derker a safer and more pleasant place to live and the council are proud partners in this initiative.”